Yummy Mummy launch

A Brighton mother is calling on all Mums in the area to take part in a sponsored 5k walk in their pyjamas to help the charity that supported her family when their world was turned upside down by childhood cancer.

Local people are being invited to take part in the fundraising event which takes place at Stanmer Park on September 20 to celebrate Yummy Mummy Week 2008.

The national fundraising event, which this year runs from September 20 to 28, is organised by the UK’s leading children’s cancer charity, CLIC Sargent, and will see Mums, Grans and families across the UK pull out all the stops to raise much-needed funds.

The PJ 5k event in Brighton is just one of many Yummy Mummy regional events being organised by the charity across the UK.  As well as these events, mums are also being invited to organise their own events as part of Yummy Mummy Week. From coffee mornings and family BBQ’s to pampering nights Yummy Mummy Week will see thousands of women across the UK holding great fundraising events.

Brighton Yummy Mummy, Catherine Murray, is calling on people in the local area to support the event having experienced first hand the work of CLIC Sargent.  Her son, Theo, was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the muscle behind his eye, in 2005 aged just two-and-half.  Now Catherine is keen to get behind Yummy Mummy Week 2008 to give something back to the charity that supported her family through the difficult times.

Catherine, who is also helping to organise the event, said: “To be told your child has cancer is every parent’s worst nightmare.  I don’t know what we would have done with out the help of CLIC Sargent who supported my family every step of the way.  Now I want to encourage other Mums to get involved and fundraise for Yummy Mummy Week, because without our support CLIC Sargent can’t continue its vital work in caring for children and young people with cancer.  What could be better than getting together with family and friends and having fun while raising money for such a worthwhile cause?”

It is the second time the PJ 5k event in Brighton will be held during Yummy Mummy week.  Last year the walk was opened by Theo with the help of Eastenders star Patsy Palmer.

In the four years since the Yummy Mummy campaign was launched more than £700,000 has been generated and this year the aim is to break the £1m mark.

The Yummy Mummy campaign also includes a great range of merchandise including ‘I’m a Yummy Mummy’ t-shirts and ‘I’m a Dishy Daddy’ mugs.  To sign up for a free fundraising pack, register for the Brighton PJ 5K, or buy some great merchandise, log onto www.yummymummy.org.uk or call 08451 206 658.

The national sponsor for Yummy Mummy Week 2008 is international financial services organisation, Foresters.  Steve Dilworth, UK Membership Director at Foresters said: “Last year our worldwide charity work involved 800,000 hours of community involvement, which helped to raise over £26 million for worthwhile causes with Foresters members and employees assisting more than 400 local charities. We measure our success not only by financial strength, but also by the positive impact we have on our members’ communities.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

• For any media enquiries please contact Suzanne Palmer in the CLIC Sargent press office on 0117 314 8621 or email: suzanne.palmer@clicsargent.org.uk