Two charitable organisations are hoping things will be coming up roses for their forthcoming fundraisers… pink roses, that is.
The Breast Cancer Foundation of the Cayman Islands is hosting its annual Light Up The Night beach walk on Saturday, 5 March; and the Pink Ladies are presenting their popular fashion show on 12 March. Both events are fun, social affairs but, more importantly, they promote awareness and bring in money for great causes.
Light Up The Night
This year marks the 12th annual beach walk, and over time the locations have changed, but the theme has remained the same. Friends and family gather together, sporting pink T-shirts, and take to the sand under the silvery moon. For some, they walk in support of a loved one’s battle with breast cancer. For others, they walk to remember those they have lost to the disease. There is always a wonderful sense of community and camaraderie, and the number of participants has grown with every passing year.
Luckily, the government COVID regulations were updated in time for staggered starts not to be required. Up to 1,000 people are allowed to join in and, of course, the hope is that many will sign up. The pandemic has put the squeeze on all charities, unfortunately ironically at a time when they have been needed the most. Organisations like ARK and the Cayman Food Bank were overwhelmed with requests for assistance, while the Breast Cancer Foundation saw an uptick in advanced cases, due to a delay of diagnoses in the time of lockdown.
“We weren’t able to hold our gala in 2021, our main fundraising event each year,” said Janette Fitzgerald, chief administrator for the BCF. “We had A Very Pink Christmas at Grand Old House, and Martin Lancaster raised thousands of dollars for collecting 65 bags of trash in honour of his 65th birthday, which was amazing. These initiatives really helped with our budget, but the needs of our patients are many, requiring a lot of financial support. We really hope people will be generous this year, and come along to truly light up the night with us.”
In the past, pink balloons have been distributed to participants to carry with them, but in the interest of protecting the environment, they have been replaced by glowing reusable batons.
“They look fantastic,” Fitzgerald said, “and after the sun goes down, they’ll really make a statement in the dark. At the end, people can return them, and we’ll use them again next year.”
The 2022 walk will start at Seven Mile Public Beach, with The Ritz-Carlton as the turnaround point. The registration desk will open at 6pm, and the walk starts at 7pm.
Entry fee for Light Up The Night is $25, and under-10s are free. More information is available at www.breastcancerfoundation.ky/bcf-events, where people can also register online.
Pink Ladies Fashion Show
Everybody loves a parade, particularly when it’s a parade of fashion down the runway. Paris, Milan, London, New York (dahling), and now Grand Cayman Marriott on 12 March! The Pink Ladies will be bringing out brand designers’ best with their annual fashion show, which runs from 3-6pm.
Models will strut their stuff and there will be a sale of gently used clothing as well. Run to the racks to find a bargain or three.
Tickets include Ruffino bubbles and canapés – a very civilised way to spend the afternoon. You can gather the gals, enjoy some retail therapy without stepping on an airplane, and know that it is all to support a worthwhile endeavour. All funds raised from ticket sales and a raffle on the day will be donated to the National Children’s Voluntary Organisation to help with renovation costs at the Nadine Andreas Residential Foster Home and Miss Nadine’s Pre-school.
This event celebrates the women of Cayman, particularly the Pink Ladies, who have been supporting various community charities since 1981. It is apt timing, as it is being held in the same week as International Women’s Day, which falls on 8 March. Organisers have gathered over 1,000 pieces of clothing with an emphasis on recycling, and based on previous popularity of the ‘closets’ they assemble, sales will be brisk on the day. Prices range from $5 up to a few top designer items priced at $100.
Booking tickets early is key, and tables are available for six or 10 people.
Tickets are $80. Reserve by emailing [email protected] or using the Bento app. Payment can also be made by cash or cheque at Focus Hair Salon, Marquee Plaza; or Rugs Oriental, Galleria Plaza. For more information about the Pink Ladies, visit the website at www.pinkladies.ky.
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