WOMAC smashes fundraising target once again at its annual charity event

We did it again!

WOMAC supporters came together to help raise support and cancer awareness at Women On the Move Against Cancer’s (WOMAC) annual fundraising party, and we smashed our target once more!

This year, the WOMAC party was held at The Kia Oval in Kennington, London, on Wednesday 21 February where the popular raffle and tombola returned with a record total of more than 400 fabulous prizes.

Thanks to the many kind and generous donations from our guests and corporate sponsors, WOMAC has achieved its £15,000 pledge towards this year’s chosen charity, the Kidney Cancer Support Network (KCSN) - a patient-led network of kidney cancer patients, carers and family members affected by kidney cancer.

WOMAC also introduced its Silent Auction with a pair of tickets to the Kia hospitality box in the OCS Stand at The Kia Oval up for grabs on the first day of the final Test Match between England and India.

Bids are still open, so please email your bids for this wonderful prize to WOMAC Treasurer Nicola Humphreys at nicola.humphreys@imprimatur.co.uk before midnight on Tuesday 27 March.

The winner will be announced on WOMAC’s social media channels on Wednesday 28 March.

To add to the atmosphere, party guests were joined in the VIP photo area by Alec Stewart, former Surrey and England captain, batsman and wicket-keeper for England and the second-most capped England player in history; Gareth Batty, former England spinner and captain of Surrey last year; as well as Bryony Smith and Aylish Cranstone of the Surrey Stars women’s team.

The Kidney Cancer Support Network will fund various activities to raise knowledge and awareness of kidney cancer and its symptoms, enabling patients to share their experiences and insights.

With more donations promised from WOMAC supporters, it is hoped to increase the final donation to KCSN before our fundraising year ends in the autumn.

Julia Black, co-founder of KSCN, said: “What a fabulous night with a brilliant group of people!

We were bowled over by the enthusiasm, generosity and support we’ve received and everyone who attended the evening - it was amazing to be part of such a wonderful event and we cannot say ‘thank you’ enough.

The funds WOMAC raised will have such an enormous impact on the charity and the work and support we can provide.

The funds will go directly to patient support, which means so much to those affected by this rare cancer.”

Georgia Fox, Chair of WOMAC, added: “We are delighted to support the Kidney Cancer Support Network in 2018 and are absolutely thrilled we’ve reached the target for our first pledge.

The work they do is vital in helping to guide, provide information and support anyone affected by kidney cancer.”

Since 1979, when WOMAC was founded, more than 50 charities have received in excess of £900,000 in donations.

These generous contributions have gone towards supporting a range of projects, from funding counsellors, supplying flowers and benches in hospice gardens, and providing reclining chairs in treatment rooms, as WOMAC strives also to support the many all-important research projects that are helping to improve cancer diagnoses and treatment.

WOMAC is most grateful to all of its supporters, without whom we would not have been able to achieve any of this.

Georgia said: “Whatever we’re doing here at WOMAC, it works and it’s making a difference.

I’m overwhelmed by the number of donations we’ve received and would like to thank everyone who joined us at this year’s party.

Thank you for supporting us - your generosity will touch many lives.”

As well as the generosity of individual supporters, WOMAC would like to thank its corporate sponsors for their support: Bentley Motors, Beyond Content, BMW Group UK, Ennis & Co, Imprimatur, Kelsey Publishing, Kia Motors, Mark Oliver Design, MINI UK, Newspress, Richard Parsons Photography, Sims Images, SMMT, Vauxhall Motors, Volkswagen Group United Kingdom, Volvo Car UK and Worlds Apart.

WOMAC thanks everyone who has kindly donated to its cause and urges those haven’t already done so to visit www.JustGiving.com/WOMAC2018 where they can still give to the charity.

Although the annual party is WOMAC’s biggest fundraising event, activities take place throughout the year to raise money for good causes.

To get involved, please visit www.womac.co.uk , like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/womacfundraising or follow us on Twitter @womactweets.

WOMAC is proud to introduce a series of Silent Auctions, with a range of fabulous prizes up for grabs!

The first of three auctions will see one lucky winner secure a pair of tickets to the Kia hospitality box in the OCS Stand at the Kia Oval on 7 September - the first day of the final Test match between England and India.

This amazing package includes ground entrance, access to the Kia Motors (UK) exclusive hospitality facility, full catering and a cash bar - that includes a breakfast roll on arrival, tea and coffee, a three-course lunch, afternoon tea plus beverages throughout the day.

Bids should be sent to WOMAC Treasurer Nicola Humphreys at nicola.humphreys@imprimatur.co.uk before midnight on Tuesday 27 March.

The winner will be announced on WOMAC’s social media channels (@WOMACTweets on Twitter and Women On The Move Against Cancer on Facebook) on Wednesday 28 March.

Good luck!

If you’re not victorious in the first of our Silent Auctions, there will be plenty more opportunities to win!

WOMAC is delighted to offer a unique Alfa Romeo dashboard, courtesy of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK.

Taken from the car that was driven on set in the Fast and Furious 6 movie, the dashboard has been signed by the cast, including the late Paul Walker, Ludacris and Wonder Woman Gal Gadot.

And thanks to INFINITI Motor Company, WOMAC is also giving away a 01/01 - yes, a true one off - INFINITI Q Inspiration oil on canvas, painted and donated by Daniel Jimenez just for WOMAC!

Daniel is an automotive designer and experimental fashion aficionado, working for INFINITI Design San Diego as an exterior designer.

He's worked with a highly diverse portfolio of vehicles for Nissan and INFINITI.

For more information, please email Nicola Humphreys at nicola.humphreys@imprimatur.co.uk.

About Kidney Cancer Support Network The Kidney Cancer Support Network (KCSN) is a patient-led network of kidney cancer patients, carers and family members affected by kidney cancer.

Rose Woodward and Julia Black created the network to help kidney cancer patients come together to share their experiences and insights, and to help improve knowledge and awareness of kidney cancer.

About WOMAC WOMAC is a charity made up of female volunteers working in the automotive industry.

It was established in 1979 and aims to continue the fight against cancer by supporting a variety of projects, searching for more effective treatments or improving the quality of life for cancer sufferers, their families and carers.