Preparations under way for third breast cancer ball

Preparations are in full swing for the third Strawberry Ball, which is raising money for new equipment at The Breast Institute, City Hospital, Nottingham.

A group of friends have come together to raise as much as they can for a new mammography scanner.

The ball has been organised by the Floral Media owners, Paula and Steven Routledge and friends Tim and Rachel Hinchley.

Paula has been working on the floral décor with fellow Southwell Flower Club member Jade Loftus.

“We have been given a blank canvas to work with. The entrance display will feature floral clothing on mannequins and centre pieces will be made from a variety of floral tutus and big trees,” Paula said.

Jade said: “We had lots of inspiration for the designs, including a charity tutu bike ride I organised.”

All of the displays will be hand-made by Paula and Jade.

Paula also hinted there would be special entertainment but refused to say any more, preferring to leave it a surprise.

“All I can say is that some guests may recognise a few of the people,” said Paula.

There will be an auction, where guests can bid for items like a bottle of Champagne signed by the Prime Minister, Theresa May, or experiences such as tickets to a race day at Newmarket with a famous jockey.

Guests will also be treated to music by Chromatic & Co, who have offered to play for free.

The Strawberry Ball has received great support from local businesses, although Paula is appealing for help. “We still need a small stage and a lighting rig, so any help would be really appreciated,” she said.

Organising a ball requires a lot of organisation. Paula said: “In the past we have raised large sums of money this way so it was a no brainer.”

There are fewer than 100 tickets left with 350 tickets having been sold already for the ball, which takes place on October 20 at The Lady Eastwood Pavilion, Newark Showground.

The proceeds will be added to the £46,254 raised by Paula and 41 others in the Coast and Castle bike ride between Newcastle and Edinburgh.

Paula has been fundraising with her friends in aid of breast cancer since 2012 raising more than £160,000.

Paula has no desire to change the name despite the Strawberry Ball being held in Autumn.

“The first one took place in June 2006. I organised it with Katy Taylor, who had been in remission for breast cancer and wanted to give something back,” Paula said.

Katy sadly lost her life to breast cancer at the age of 37 in 2011, but the fundraising hasn’t stopped.

Paula is also hosting a Charity Gardeners Question Time at Floral Media with the rest of her Radio Nottingham gardener colleagues on October 7, 2pm to 4pm to raise money for breast cancer.

For more information about the Strawberry Ball or to buy tickets, contact Paula at info@floralmedia.co.uk.