The following was the nomination for the Sue Ryder Yorkshire Woman of Achievement Award.
“Sarah Pattinson and her sister Kim O’Rourke are Yorkshire born and bred. Their mum Maureen Young raised the girls as a single mum in 1960s Leeds. They were brought up to care for each other and for those less fortunate and taught that they would get back from life what they put in.
Three husbands (one each!!) 4 children between them and 30 years later their close knit family was devastated when Kim was diagnosed with breast cancer. But Kim, being Kim, wasn’t fazed by this. She was positive in her outlook and had her friends and family to help her through.
This however wasn’t enough for Sarah. She needed to help her sister. She’d always looked out for Kim and now felt helpless. So she was inspired to organise a Ball not only as a fundraiser but to give Kim something to focus on whilst she was having her treatment.
Sarah’s first formal ball was a huge success!! Her first ladies’ wine tasting event was an even bigger success! This amazing woman had planted an acorn which would become a mighty oak in a matter of years. Sarah’s hard work and dedication led her to set up the Pink Events charity.
But in the midst of such success misfortune struck again. Within a short space of time both Sarah and her mum Maureen were diagnosed with breast cancer and Kim faced another battle with cardiomyopathy. All 3 ladies accepted their diagnosis with a courage and a strength I am sure they didn’t know they possessed.
Pink Events continued to fund raise whilst all 3 had treatment and I am pleased to say that Sarah, Kim and Maureen are all well and healthy!!
Over the past 14years Sarah has led Pink Events from strength to strength and through fundraisers like Wine tastings – Black Tie Events – Molton Brown Evenings – Trekking the Great Wall of China – Afternoon Teas – Golf Days Sing-a-Long-a Cinema Events – Clay Pigeon Shooting. This and sponsorship from local businesses has raised a monumental figure beyond her wildest imagination. At this time, June 2018, it is over £240,000.
Those who have benefitted from donations are The Breast Care Unit at St James who received enough funds to purchase new seating for the waiting area, specialist X-ray equipment, a Vectra 3D Imaging System and electronic beds for the Breast Unit Outpatients Department, whilst Cancer Research UK have received in excess of £79,000.
Sarah doesn’t just fundraise. She believes in the power of health education. The Pink Events’ website and its social media accounts ring our alarm bells on the first of every month to “check your boobies!!!” The website includes links on how to check your breasts and what signs and symptoms to look for – Be Breast Aware
Not only is Sarah and Pink Events admired and respected locally but nationally too. Sarah and her committee were honoured in 2017 when they received the Duke of York’s Community Initiative Award and Cancer Research UK presented them with The Flame of Hope Award. Also in 2015 the ladies plus their other halves were invited to the palace to join the royals at the Queen’s Garden Party.
The committee now consists of Sarah, Kim, Maureen and Mandy Bellfield and they have a long list of patrons who include the well renowned Breast Surgeon at Leeds Breast Unit, Mr Phillip Turton.
I am proud to nominate Sarah Pattison for the tireless inspirational fundraising she does and the positive contribution her charity makes toward improving the diagnosis treatment and well being of patients with breast cancer across the region.”
As a Registered Charity we have a simple aim which is in our stated objectives below ;
To relieve sickness and promote and protect good health amongst those who are at risk of, or who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, in such ways that the trustees shall think fit, in particular but not exclusively by ;
- Providing and improving resources and equipment for patients and consultants as appropriate to improve care, treatment and diagnosis of breast cancer.
- Raising awareness about early diagnosis and treatment and reminding people to check themselves.
- Raising funds to support research into all aspects of breast cancer, its causes, diagnosis and treatment and disseminating the useful results of such research.