Breast Cancer Now Pink Ribbon Walk 2026: UK charity walks at Hampton Court, Blenheim Palace and more

Zoe Gater

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fundraising

Breast Cancer Now’s annual Pink Ribbon fundraising walks are back and raising vital funds for lifesaving research and life-changing support – one step at a time.

Breast Cancer Now’s iconic Pink Ribbon Walks are returning to beauty hotspots and historic cityscapes in the UK for their 21st year in 2026 – calling outdoor lovers to step up now for a 10 or 20-mile walk to help change the future of breast cancer.

On various dates from April to June, the walks take place across four beautiful locations and are a perfect challenge for newbie walkers and seasoned hikers alike.

Walks include:

• Saturday 18 April – Hampton Court Palace and the Thames Path
• Saturday 9 May – Blenheim Palace and the Cotswolds
• Sunday 17 May – Chatsworth House and the Peak District
• Saturday 20 June – Edinburgh at Holyrood Park

Since they began, the Pink Ribbon Walks have raised over £15.5m for Breast Cancer Now and when we first walked in 2005, 8 in 10 women in the UK survived breast cancer for 5 or more years. Now, it’s 9 in 10. That’s the power of science and support in action.

The need today for support has never been more important. One woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK every 9 minutes and a man every day. And if nothing is done to change this, one woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer every 8 minutes by 2040.

Every step you take. Every mile you walk. It all helps fund our lifesaving science and life-changing support.

For more information or to book your Pink Ribbon Walk this spring, visit Breast Cancer Now’s website.

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Phil Grant Muscular Dystrophy: Standing Strong with Heart

Round & About

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You’ve probably encountered Phil Grant, 61, from Charlbury, maybe as his alter ego Wonder Woman, during his 30+ years volunteering for Muscular Dystrophy UK

Phil Grant has passionately supported Muscular Dystrophy UK since his son Christopher was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in 1990.

Although Christopher died four years ago, Phil continues volunteering in his memory. He explains, “When my son was diagnosed, it shocked us, but the charity provided much-needed support. We were fortunate to share 34 wonderful years with Christopher. He taught us patience and showed a great attitude—‘deal with the cards you’re dealt’ and keep moving forward.”

Phil often dresses as Wonder Woman for fundraising events like the Bidwells Oxford 10k and London Marathon. In fact, this year the charity recognised his tireless efforts by awarding him Volunteer of the Year at the Muscular Dystrophy UK President’s Awards, in partnership with Airnow Technology. Gabby Logan MBE, the charity’s president, hosted the event, which honours those who make an exceptional difference in the muscle-wasting community.

Find out more about how you can volunteer with Muscular Dystrophy UK here. You can read more about Phil’s story here. The free Muscular Dystrophy UK helpline, 0800 652 6352, runs 10am-2pm, Monday to Thursday.

To learn more about your area, click here.

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Care Worker Conquers Himalayas for Charity

Round & About

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Round & About

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An intrepid team member from Barchester Healthcare’s new Burwood Grange care home in Walton on Thames set out on a challenging, extraordinary and life-changing trek, all in the name of checking chests!

Megan Best, a dedicated Home Services Advisor at Burwood Grange, joined Giovanna Fletcher and other well-known faces on a five-day trek through the Indian Himalayas to raise funds for CoppaFeel, a breast cancer charity focused on promoting early detection.

CoppaFeel works to combat late breast cancer diagnosis by encouraging young people to regularly check their breasts, pecs, and chests, empowering them to recognise changes and consult a doctor when something feels off.

Megan took on this challenge for a deeply personal reason: she carries the BRCA2 gene, which significantly increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. In July 2023, she underwent a bilateral mastectomy as part of her preventative care journey to lower her risk of developing breast cancer.

“This was my first time taking on a challenge like this,” Megan shared. “I was excited but nervous, especially about the unpredictable weather. I’m grateful for the incredible support from my colleagues at Burwood Grange and my fellow climbers – it motivated me to push through. I’m proud to raise funds for CoppaFeel, a charity that’s so close to my heart. Breast cancer has affected my family and friends, and I want to help prevent others from experiencing what I’ve been through.”

If you’d like to support Megan, visit her JustGiving page, “Megan Best is fundraising for CoppaFeel!” All donations are greatly appreciated.

Burwood Grange’s General Manager, Dacre Lassauniere, expressed the team’s pride: “We’re all incredibly proud of Megan and her determination to take on this incredible challenge. We can’t wait to hear about her experience and are cheering her on every step of the way.”

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Heartfelt Santa Fun Run & grotto

Liz Nicholls

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fundraising

Liz Nicholls

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The ADS Santa Fun Run is back for its 10th outing on 24th November, supporting local families affected by dementia. And Santa’s grotto will give you a warm welcome at Dorney Lake!

Back for its 10th year, continuing a festive tradition cherished by many local families Santas will step up for a great cause, 10.30am-2pm, on Sunday, 24th November at Eton Dorney Lake.

Dressed head-to-toe in Santa suits, hundreds of participants will walk, jog, push or run 5km around the lake, all while raising vital funds for local people affected by dementia and their carers in the Windsor, Ascot, Maidenhead, Slough and Langley areas.

The ADS Santa Fun Run is more than just a race; it’s a community favourite and the perfect way to kickstart the holiday season: get some exercise in, meet new friends locally, and make a real difference. Your participation helps keep crucial local services going, providing vital support to those who need it most.

What’s in store? Get your free Santa suit with registration (or feel free to rock your own Christmas costume!) – this event is open to all ages and abilities. Even your furry friends are welcome to join in the fun in their seasonal costumes. And don’t miss out on the chance to win in categories like Best Dressed Team, Best Dressed Dog, Best Dressed Family, and Best Dressed Wheels. Plus, fundraise over £50 and you’ll be entered into a prize draw.

The day isn’t just about the 5k – it’s packed with festive activities for the whole family. Enjoy Santa’s Grotto, snap a S-elfie with a giant inflatable Santa, and enjoy games like Hook-a-Duck, and special appearances by Princess Elsa, Spiderman, and a surprise superhero. Warm up with a hot drink from the upstairs café while listening to live Christmassy music and watching the Santas run past around the lake. It’s a festive feast for the senses!

ADS Director of Operations, Nysa Harris, says: “This is our signature annual fundraising event, and we’d love to see as many Santas as possible! It’s all about fun, raising awareness, and getting our local community involved.”

Visit ‘ADS’ for more info.

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Fun & fundraising

Karen Neville

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Karen Neville

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You’re all set for a great night out at Caversham Rock ‘n’ Ale Festival

Rock and ale – the perfect combination and the perfect way to enjoy a Saturday!

Now in its 13th year the annual Caversham Rock ‘n’ Ale Festival features three outstanding local bands, two bars, both provided by Caversham’s top hostelry, The Last Crumb, food including a hog roast and vegetarian food options as well as children’s entertainment at Our Lady & St Anne’s School Playing Fields, Washington Road/ Southview Avenue, Caversham RG4 5AA.

The event raises money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and since its inception has raised well into five figures for the association.

It is a family and community event and people of all ages are welcome along to join in the fun and fundraising on Saturday, 7th September from 6.30pm.

This year’s line-up features Code Red who will be opening the evening with a set of indie, pop and rock songs to get everyone going. The Skavengers are back by popular demand with boss sounds and ruder than rude ska classics and originals skanks and Dino’s bring you all the banging 80’s classic rock covers you know and love to rock along to.

Tickets adult – £15 + £1.50 booking fee = £16.50, child (under 16) – £5 + £0.50 booking fee = £5.50. Under-5s go free (but still need a ticket),

Book at Caversham Rock ‘n’ Ale Festival 2024 (wegottickets.com)

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Squire’s garden centres team’s generous giving

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

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Squire’s Garden Centres have once again shown support for local charitable causes in the community, through the Charity of the Year programme, raising over £25,000 across their 16 centres and group office.

The initiative, which is now going into its 13th year, sees each centre choose a local charity to work with over the course of the year, running 1st August to 31st July.

Charitable organisations who are selected to partner with each of Squire’s 16 centres as well as Farnham-based group office, must meet specific:
• that they benefit local people with donations reaching a local cause (rather than funds going to a national pot)
• they must be a registered charity
• they are a family or people-based charity or support the environment.

Squires MD Martin Breddy says: “I would like to congratulate colleagues on their brilliant efforts over the past year in showing their support for their chosen charity partners and hosting various events and activities. We couldn’t raise the fantastic amount we have without the generosity and support of our valued customers who assist in our fundraising efforts – a very sincere thank you to them. I know the sums raised will make a big difference to our charity partners.”

“We couldn’t raise the fantastic amount we have without the generosity and support of our valued customers.”

As well as the crucial fundraising, working together often provides a platform to help communicate the charity’s work and relevance to local people and the community. In some cases, there may be the opportunity for a charity’s client to be involved with the centre providing valuable learning opportunities and experiences.

Funds raised over the course of the year come from charity boxes in each centre, the annual Plantathon event, ticket sales from Squire’s grottos, raffles and other customer-facing activities. Centre teams also have taken on larger events and initiatives, including walking to the summit of Mount Snowdon, a staff member running a 10k race, a pop-up shop selling donated Christmas gifts and a charity partner’s gardening club visiting a centre to experience potting-up and selling planted containers.

Chairman Sarah Squire adds: “Squire’s colleagues have continued to support their local communities through their fundraising efforts in support of our Charity of the Year programme. They strive to do their best, working in partnership with their chosen charities that play such an important role in the local community. Our Charity of the Year programme is all about making a big difference for local people.”

Squire’s also supports Greenfingers Charity, the national charity which builds gardens for children’s hospices as well as Perennial, which assists people who work or have worked in horticulture. Squire’s also assists many local causes and events within their local communities in addition to the figure donated through the Charity of the Year programme.

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Urgent plea for families in need

Round & About

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Could you help The Link Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting children affected by domestic violence, bereavement, disability and poverty?

This amazing volunteer-powered local charity is currently experiencing an unprecedented demands for beds, cots and mattresses. The team are looking to partner with businesses and individuals who want to make a difference in our community.

Is there a challenge you have always fancied taking? Are you a business which could hold a team building fundraiser? Perhaps you fancy joining The Link Foundation as they raise awareness and funds at the Maidenhead Boundary Walk?

The team, who help families in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, are always excited to brainstorm ideas on how they could work together to provide all the beds needed to give local kids a good night’s sleep.

Please call 01628 400600 or donate at The Link Foundation – JustGiving

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Old Library Campaign Fundraising Raffle

Round & About

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The Corn Exchange Newbury launches fundraising raffle to win sold out Al Murray tickets

The Corn Exchange Newbury has launched their latest fundraising raffle to give one lucky winner the chance to get two, central, stalls tickets for their sold out Pubtastic Fundraising Event with Al Murray.

Raffle tickets are priced at £5 each and all funds raised will go towards the Old Library Campaign, to redevelop the historic building on Cheap Street in Newbury and make it into the new permanent home for their creative participation work.

The raffle will close at 12 noon on Thursday 23rd May, with the winner being drawn and contacted the same day.

Raffle tickets can be purchased from Raffle for Al Murray tickets or by calling the Box Office on 01635 522733.

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Sobell House Hospice’s Rainbow of Ribbons

Liz Nicholls

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Last weekend saw an ancient red oak tree in Oxford’s University Parks transformed into a rainbow of colourful ribbons fluttering in the summer breeze in memory of loved ones.

Local hospice Sobell House has been asking those that have lost loved ones to remember them and celebrate their life by dedicating a ribbon and making a donation to the wonderful care they provide. Hundreds of ribbons have been dedicated to form the Rainbow of Ribbons display, which will remain in the University Parks until Tuesday 30 August. After this, the display will be moved to Sobell House’s reception for one month, during which time people can collect their ribbon if they wish to keep as a treasured memory. So far Sobell House has raised over £12,700 through the Rainbow of Ribbons celebration, which is enough to pay for 21 days of care for a patient on their specialist in-patient unit. If they could raise another £5,400, these vital funds could cover the cost of care for a patient for the whole of September.

Beth Marsh, Director of Fundraising at Sobell House, says: “The Rainbow of Ribbons display is a magnificent and emotional sight to behold. Being part of the installation of this display was an honour, seeing the names of so many loved ones no longer with us – I would like to urge people to visit and add to the stunning piece of art”.

The Rainbow of Ribbons display is a magnificent and emotional sight to behold

One of the families that have contributed towards the glorious Rainbow of Ribbons is the Beach family, who wished to remember their beloved husband, father and grandfather, Brian.

The Rainbow of Ribbons display is located within the park along West Walk, between North Lodge and Keble Gates, and will move to Sobell House’s reception on Tuesday 30 August. The team at the Hospice will continue to regularly add colourful ribbons to the display at the Parks and in the Hospice. To add a ribbon is simple – just go to sobellhospice.org/ribbons or call the Charity team on 01865 857007 to make your pledge and your ribbon will soon feature on this beautiful piece of art.

Every year, Sobell House Hospice Charity needs to raise around £2 million towards the running of the hospice. Sobell House has been providing palliative and end of life care to people with a life-limiting illness since 1976. It also, crucially, supports them and their families at an emotionally devastating time.

Find out more

To find out more about the hospice and how you can get involved, please visit sobellhouse.org

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Showing support for Ukraine

Round & About

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Reading Biscuit Factory independent cinema is one of several across the country previewing Olga in aid of the DEC

Reading Biscuit Factory is joining the show of support for Ukraine with a series of preview charity screenings of Olga. 

Fifteen-year-old Ukrainian gymnast Olga, exiled in Switzerland, is trying to fit in with her new team in her new home. But as she prepares for the European Championship, the Ukrainian people stage a revolution. 

Olga is left a powerless, distant bystander as her mother, an investigative journalist, faces danger as she challenges a brutal regime. 

Can Olga reconcile her personal goals with the history unfolding in her homeland? 

A donation will be made from each ticket sold to support Ukraine via the Disasters Emergency Committee. 

Olga is showing on Sunday 20th March, 4pm; Tuesday 22nd March, 12.30pm & Thursday 24th March, 9pm. 

Book tickets at https://readingbiscuitfactory.co.uk/whats-on/olga 

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