Women vow to help Norwich cancer survivor’s charity

A Norfolk fitness and dance group which has raised more than �3,000 for a women's cancer charity has vowed to work similar wonders for a Norwich cancer survivor's fledgling male cancer group.

Members of the Great Yarmouth branch of Zumba have helped boost the Pink Ribbon Foundation to the tune of �3,133.

Rachel Brown, 29, an instructor with the group, said she got the idea to raise money for the Pink Ribbon Foundation after a fundraising drive by the Zumba movement in America for a female cancer charity.

She said: 'I really fancied doing something for a UK charity. We sold tickets for a fundraising night and gave out sponsor forms and incentives like free lessons.'

Miss Brown, who lives in Cobholm, Yarmouth, said they raised just over �1,000 from the night at Caesar's Bar in Yarmouth in October and the rest in sponsorship and other donations.

Now the group has vowed to help get male cancer survivors on the road to recovery by supporting the Blue Ribbon Foundation, the soon-to-be sister charity of PRF.

She said: 'I said we would certainly be interested in supporting the BRF because it's something for men and means we might be able to get men interested in Zumba. I had an uncle that died from prostate cancer last year.'

The BRF is a charity focusing on all male cancers set up by Norwich grandfather Mel Lacey, who has himself survived the disease after being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Mr Lacey, a former Norfolk policeman, hailed the efforts of Zumba in supporting the Pink Ribbon Foundation and was delighted with the news of support for his charity.

He said: 'What these ladies have achieved for the Pink Ribbon Foundation is just fantastic and I'm just thrilled to hear that they want to do something similar for the Blue Ribbon Foundation.'

Mr Lacey's world was turned upside down late in 2008 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He was treated at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. He wants to set up a charity to raise awareness and fund research into male forms of cancer. He hopes to launch it by March.

To find out more about Zumba Great Yarmouth log on to www.zumbagreatyarmouth.co.uk.

To find out more about the Blue Ribbon Foundation email mel.lacey@talktalk.net.

Have you helped raise thousands for charity? Call Evening News reporter Peter Walsh on 01603 772436 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk.