Pledging my support to breast cancer fundraiser 'wear it pink'

With Sky News present Jacquie Beltrao pledging
our support for 'wear it pink'

I am pleased to again pledge my support to Breast Cancer Now's flagship fundraiser, 'wear it pink,' which will see thousands of people across the UK adding a splash of pink to their outfits on Friday 20 October and raise vital funds for breast cancer research.

Wear it pink takes place during October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and is now in its 16th year. Over this time it has raised £30 million to fund life-saving breast cancer research - but there is always more to do, so I would encourage everyone to sign up and help raise more funds for this worthwhile cause.

Anyone can take part in wear it pink, which brings together schools, workplaces, and communities. All you need to do is wear something pink, or hold a pink event at home, work, or school, and make a donation to Breast Cancer Now. Whatever you do, you're helping the charity achieve its aim that, if we all act now, by 2050 everyone who develops breast cancer will live.

The fact is, breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, and one in eight women will face it in their lifetime. Each year around 11,500 women and 80 men lose their lives to this awful disease.

This is why I'm urging local people to take part in wear it pink in October.

To take part, please visit www.wearitpink.org/2017 for further details, fundraising ideas, and how to register for your free fundraising pack.

Please donate to St Luke's Hospice

Donate to St Luke's Hospice here

In March I will be dancing a tango and a jive in front of a live, paying audience in aid of our local St Luke's Hospice in Basildon.

As the local Member of Parliament, and with no ballroom dance experience whatsoever, I will quite literally be following in the footsteps of the erstwhile Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls!

I do not profess to be a dance of any kind but am taking part in order to raise funds for an excellent cause.

All seriously ill patients and families should have access to the highest quality palliative support and end-of-life care which is provided so ably by the brilliant staff and volunteers at St Luke's.

Dance practice has already started with my teacher Joanna Ridley and we are on track for the event in March.

Please do consider giving what little you can through my JustGiving page and we will try to make a positive difference to such an important part of our community.

My target is to raise £1,000 but if I can exceed that amount it would mean even more support for a worthy charity.

Thank you!

You can also donate to St Luke's Hospice here.