Shop windows, salons, and streets across Leamington and Warwick are glowing pink for Cancer Research UK, this week.
It comes as part of the community-led awareness campaign, Turn Leamington and Warwick Pink, which runs from 11 to 19 October and is being driven by a passionate group of volunteers at Warwick and Leamington Spa Cancer Research UK committee.
Much of the campaign’s success so far has been down to the collaborative spirit of local business owners and residents, who have got stuck in with ‘turning the town pink.’
Speaking to Nub News, Chair of the Leamington Spa and Warwick Cancer Research UK Committee, Deborah Barleggs expressed: “The idea is, businesses and retailers across the towns can decorate their premises, their offices, their buildings, and really focus on pink merchandise if they like.
“It brings a really strong visual to the towns and it’s about raising awareness for all types of cancer, not just breast cancer.”
Fran Jones at Grape Tree on Parade (image via Leamington Photographic Society)
Deborah first got involved with the charity more than 20 years ago while studying as a mature student in London.
“I had plenty of time on my hands and saw an old-fashioned noticeboard ad for volunteers,” she said.
“That’s how I got started, and I began helping out in the office and then joined the committee.”
Deborah then moved to Leamington, which she said has been the perfect place for the Turn it Pink campaign, harbouring multiple community-minded businesses, along with Warwick.
She noted: “There are a lot of commuters in London and so I don’t think it (the campaign) would have worked there.”
Community spirit and local business support:
Deborah further expressed, she had intended to launch the campaign in just Leamington initially, however, after reaching out to local businesses, including in Warwick, they were quick to jump on board.
She said: “Businesses in Warwick heard we were going to turn Leamington pink, and they said ‘Hang on a sec, why not turn Warwick pink too?'”
With the campaign now in full swing, Deborah explained: “Several retailers are giving us a percentage of profits this week, including items sold, like pink buns, muffins, on certain drinks or certain clothing and some are also doing competitions in stores like raffles.”
Some of the local businesses participating in Turn Leamington and Warwick pink include, Cocoa Rose in Warwick, which is doing a charity raffle, Aubrey Allen which had an “amazing Saturday morning” selling brownies and raised around £170 for the cause, the Five Rivers restaurant in Leamington, which hosted a successful curry night and saw guests attend the event dressed in pink and raise £400.
Mathilde Fry at Henderson Hound in Park Street (image via Leamington Photographic Society)
Deborah also noted the committee’s delight at the fact, larger businesses with national branches, such as The Body Shop, Giggling Squid, and Castle Fine Art in Leamington have also shown their support by taking part in the campaign, adding to the community spirit.
Looking ahead, this Thursday (16 October) one-hundred people are set to attend a night of glamour, at Leamington’s Hush Bar at The Terrace, for a 1920’s-themed Speakeasy Soiree, where all funds raised will go towards the charity.
While the campaign has brought joy and vibrance to the town, it also acts as an important reminder of its cause – raising money for Cancer Research UK and supporting those impacted by cancer – both directly and indirectly.
Deborah concluded: “Our committee has been going for 70 years now and has raised around £1.5 million for Cancer Research UK.
“A number of the people on the committee are cancer survivors and a number of people over the years, have also lost close relatives to cancer.
“As a committee we are there because we believe in the research, but we’re also there because amongst us people have experienced cancer and cancer treatment, or end of life care and the death of a loved one to cancer.”
There’s still time to get involved
For those who haven’t yet visited the towns, there’s still time to experience the pink takeover and support fundraising efforts for Cancer Research UK.
“If you can’t get into town during the week, come on Saturday or Sunday,” Deborah said.
“We’ve got a craft fair in the Royal Priors, and a fantastic choir performing at midday on Saturday (18 October).”
In Warwick, you can also visit Smith Street, where there are some “impressive pink window displays” and local businesses supporting the cause.
To donate online visit here.
Gemma Hancocks at The Cakery in Regent Grove (image via Leamington Photographic Society)
