Member Article

Durham businesses asked to help Hug charity

DURHAM businesses are being asked to help a local charity that provides bags full of support to women with breast cancer.

Hug in a Bag - set up by Eileen Richardson, Judith Wright and Sue McCoy – has delivered bags packed with useful information and luxury treats to more than 2,000 North East women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

And the trio – who have all had breast cancer – are hoping local businesses will come forward to help as the charity moves to Durham.

Eileen said: “The idea of a Hug in a Bag is to provide women with the important information leaflets they need, but also give them a treat at a tough time in their lives.

“We’ve been running for almost ten years, and we get a fantastic response from the public, who are continually fundraising for us.

“But now we are spreading to Durham – and hopefully soon to Darlington too – we’d like local businesses to make a donation or even offer to sponsor the charity for the year.”

Each Hug in a Bag gift is worth around £60, and includes a heart-shaped cushion made by volunteers at Kepier Quilters in Houghton-le-Spring, a soothing scented candle, a pashmina wrap and luxury toiletries including moisturiser and eyebrow definer.

Hug in a Bag’s patrons are singer Linda Nolan and footballer Jimmy Montgomery, and its slogan is: “Help, Understanding – and Glamour – giving an extra hug to those affected by breast cancer.”

In Durham, it will work hand-in-hand with the Macmillan breast cancer nurses at University Hospital North Durham, who decide when it’s the best time for a woman to receive her Hug in a Bag.

The charity is officially launching its work in Durham at a special event on Thursday 15 October from 4-6pm at Crook Hall in Durham City, attended by organisers, Macmillan breast care nurses and hospital staff as well as people who have benefited from a Hug.

Sue said: “We’d like as many businesses as possible to pop along to our event and learn about Hug in a Bag – we want to be able to give a little lift to as many women with breast cancer in Durham as we possibly can.”

Judith said: “We’re very excited at being able to bring Hug in a Bag to Durham, and we’d love local people to get involved – you can visit our website at huginabag.com to find out more.

“We also have a grand charity ball at the Stadium of Light on 14 November, and tickets are available on the website for that, too.”

* For more information about Hug in a Bag, visit www.huginabag.com, email enquiries@huginabag.com or ring Judith on 0777 630 6559 or press officer Adrienne Hunter on 07542 091020.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Adrienne Hunter .