Steadfastly pink in Witney!  

Round & About

Denise Barkley of Against Breast Cancer’s Witney action team tells us all about the 25th anniversary of Witney in Pink Day 

This year marks my 19th year helping to organise our town’s much-loved community fundraiser: Witney in Pink Day. I joined the team with friends Sue Tedd and Sandy Bradshaw, and the three of us are still passionate about turning the town perfectly pink on one fun-filled day each year! 

This year it’s on Saturday, 27th September, and it’s a very special one – our 25th anniversary! In that time £300,000 has been raised for the Abingdon-based charity Against Breast Cancer’s vital research to improve detection, treatment and survival from breast cancer. 

My own impetus was losing my Mum to breast cancer when I was in my mid 20s. It’s such a wicked, indiscriminate disease and every penny counts in the hunt for a cure. 

It was through my job as a local journalist that I met the inspirational Jeanne Chattoe, trustee of ABC and chair of the Witney Action Team. Everyone in Witney knows Jeanne – her red hair is her trademark and she’s a true fighter whose steadfast commitment to fundraising began 32 years ago following the death of her sister Delia from the disease aged just 41. 

Since then Jeanne has twice fought breast cancer herself, forging on regardless as she spearheaded raising the staggering total of £1m from a whole variety of events over the years. Her fashion shows at Witney Leisure Centre were a legendary feature on the calendar for many years and, with the backing of her team, there’s been pink gala balls, ladies’ dinners, vintage teas and much more… 

The longest-serving team member, and treasurer, is Laura Hounam who joined just after Jeanne launched her fundraising in 2000. She was recovering from breast cancer and felt she had to focus on something positive to avoid dwelling on what might or might not happen. 

She said: “Twenty-five years later I’m proud to see how the original cake stall and a few pink shop windows has developed into such a fantastic community event and we’re still raising thousands for Against Breast Cancer.” 

Jeanne’s unstinting efforts were marked in the best way possible two years ago when she was named in the King’s Birthday Honours and presented with the British Empire Medal at a glittering Blenheim Palace ceremony. 

On 27th September the town centre will buzz with a packed programme of entertainment throughout the day. As always it will be decked out with hundreds of biodegradable pink balloons and the local shops will compete to win the ultimate honour – the title of best decorated pink window. New additions this year are a pink-themed dog show on Church Green and the spectacular Brazilian drumming band Sol Samba will lead a fantastic line-up of street entertainment. 

“Witney in Pink Day is a magical event – the support each year is tremendous and unwavering,” said Jeanne. “Lots of shops and businesses have their own fundraisers too, the town unites behind us and it’s simply brilliant!”