The Pink Ladies are back
After two years off due to the pandemic, Hatherleigh Pink Ladies are back doing what they do best - organising a Bash to raise as much money as possible for many local and national charities.
The group, formed of four local women, has been in existence for 16 years and during that time they have raised approximately £160,000.
Made up of Carol Barkwell, Michelle Downie, Bridget Chisholm and Sadie Frankham, the Pink Ladies formed to give Hatherleigh its own fundraising event. After many ideas, the women settled on the idea of an annual late summer/autumn charity ball which they would hold at Made-Well, West Fishleigh Farm, and give a popular theme. This year’s theme: ‘Abba’.
Sadie said: ‘It was so we could raise money for charities but all charities from local to national. Over the years we have helped raise money for local groups including Okehampton Rugby Club for a pitch for their youngsters, Hatherleigh Silver Band, Okehampton Get Changed Theatre Company and the Farming Community Network.’
During the Bash, the Pink Ladies put on live entertainment, a bar, raffle and disco, as well as the main money raiser - their silent auction, which takes them a whole year to organise and prepare.
‘The main money raised from the event is through our silent auction which is online as well, so you don’t need to attend to bid (www.galabid.com to register). Auction lots can be anything from cakes to a holiday - we can raise as much as £15,000 at auction. All the money that is raised goes to the charities and any excess raised from our own activities gets divided equally amongst the charities.’
When the women finish one Bash it’s straight on to planning the next one and all the decorations for the event are created at Made-Well, a not for profit community interest company, which provides a range of constructive, purposeful and positive ‘day opportunities’ for people with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental ill health diagnosis (www.made-well.co.uk or Facebook).
The ladies normally select four to five charities and this year’s charities will be a local Children’s Hospice, Exeter Leukaemia Fund, Ukraine and Nepal-ease who are raising money for the Birthing Centre Appeal.
Sadie added: ‘We haven’t done the children’s hospice before and we always support cancer charities as they are close to our hearts. Local ones usually get in touch with us if they are in need of extra funds.
‘Our themes are chosen quite randomly - we have a bit of a brain storm and always manage to think of something fun.
‘We are very excited about this year - we’ve missed it!’
For more information on Hatherleigh Pink Ladies visit http://www.hatherleighpinkladies.co.uk
If you would like tickets for this years Bash please contact the Pink Ladies. They would also like to hear from any charities who would like to be considered in getting involved next year.