Group Members

Over the years we have had many lovely ladies in our group who have all contributed their time to help organise many successful and varied events.To find out why we became involved with Breakthrough and Breast Cancer Now please read our stories.We are a voluntary group representing Breast Cancer Now in our local community - ordinary women doing extraordinary things! Let us introduce ourselves:

Julie Robinson

I set out to be a £1,000 Challenger in 1995 at the request of my sister-in-law Louise. With the support of family and friends we held a charity ball and raised £7,000. Louise died shortly afterwards asking that I continue fund-raising for the sake of our daughters and a better future for all.

Sadly I’ve now lost three sisters-in-law and wonderful friends to this awful disease.

Being part of Breast Cancer Now has turned our helplessness into hope. I feel very privileged to be Chair of our fantastic fundraising group as we head towards our £1million target and a future free from breast cancer.

Jean Davies

My involvement with breast cancer NOW came about when Karen our beautiful daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002.Breakthrough was her chosen charity because of their commitment to Research ,Education and Campaigning to eradicate this terrible disease.

Karen raised thousands of £s and along the way she touched the lives of all who met her.Karen died still so young age 38 on SEPTEMBER 11TH 2006 a date the world will never forget! 

Now its our turn to do something positive we started a Tribute Fund to date stands at £48`-500 this would not have been possible without the love and support of amazing family and friends

We have seen so many positive changes in treatment   i will continue to raise funds until dying of breast cancer is a thing of the past.

I am always inspired and so proud of Groups achievements. ( Karen will be Smiling )

Sarah Jones

In November 2011 my world turned upside down when my Mum was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer, Inflammatory Breast Cancer, and it was totally devastating that we lost her in just six short months from then. She was 74 when she was diagnosed, and at that time I was astonished to learn that women in their 70's are at a high risk of getting the disease and yet contrary to this, the breast screening programme ended at that time at 70. I wrote to my MP about this and was informed that this would be changed to up to age 73 although women can request screening if they so wish after 73.  He offered to put me in touch with the Charity. By coincidence, my daughter Gabriella was approached to become Patron and I was then invited to become a member after supporting Gabriella in her new role. The inspirational group members have welcomed us both to the group and we have been amazed at how effective making a change can be if everyone stands together, and the  money this group has raised so far is incredible. We are enjoying raising funds, campaigning and spreading the word as well as visiting the Charity's impressive Research Centre in London. The charity funds research all over the country, including on our doorstep at The University of Birmingham, where the charity funds various vital research projects. We have attended the Houses of Parliament to make our voices heard at the All Party Parliamentary Meetings on Breast and Ovarian Cancer, together with campaigning for fairer prices for vital drugs which help patients with secondary breast cancer to live longer, spending more precious time with their loved ones. We have met some truly inspirational and brave women who this dreadful disease affects. It is our Charity's aim that by 2050 no one will die of Breast Cancer, and to be just a very small part of such an ambitious achievement means a lot to me, and is a fitting tribute to my lovely Mum who we all miss every day. 

Gabriella Jones

I'm honoured to be patron of Breast Cancer Now Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. It has been such a pleasure to get to know the wonderful women who play such a vital role in spreading awareness of this disease that effects so many women in the UK. It is a charity that is very close to my heart and I'm so touched to have been asked to help in spreading their message. Breast Cancer Now is a charity that is very passionate about spreading their message amongst a younger demographic, as it is prevention and an awareness of how your life choices can impact your risk of developing Breast Cancer that is extremely important. Breast Cancer Now embarks upon a new era in research into Breast Cancer, funded by innovative and enthusiastic supporters, it is now the largest Breast Cancer charity in the UK. I am so proud to be involved and look forward to bringing our vision to fruition, a world in which no one will die from Breast Cancer. 

Gay Cox

I became involved with Breakthrough Breast Cancer (Breast Cancer Now) following my being diagnosed with breast cancer in 1996. At the time I was a specialist nurse in Birmingham working on renal research projects. Like all in our group I felt motivated to start raising funds to help raise awareness of breast cancer and ultimately find a cure for this disease.

Breakthrough was my choice because the charity was building a research centre specifically for breast cancer research. Head office put me in touch with Julie Robinson when I became a  £1000 challenger and felt I needed support in my fundraising events. 

It is wonderful to have the support and encouragement the members with each of us having unique skills to bring to the group.

Kathy Caldwell

I am a Fundraiser, Campaigner, and Advocate, after losing Karen Gouldstone-Davies (Jeans and Art daughter) I felt passionate about raising awareness through education, fundraising for vital research, Campaigning to keep breast cancer High on the political agenda.

I feel very proud to have been a member of our group for 9 years and  being with people who all share the same goal and motivation. We have lots of FUN, meet wonderful people from all walks of life who want to help, and remain loyal supporters!

The charity has given me many opportunities , support and training over the years, I have attended the annual Westminster 'Fly In' where Campaigners from all over the UK meet to lobby MP's on various issues - I have represented the charity at Party Conferences, Campaign &  Advocacy  Advisory Group (CANAG) National Advocacy Conference in Washington DC where I meet with Hilary Clinton,Congressmen and women from various States. 

Over the years I have  seen fantastic improvements to breast cancer services and treatments BUT! There is still a long way to go to ensure nobody dies from this dreadful disease I shall continue my voluntary work with the group and charity for as long as it takes!.

Emma Bates

I joined the West Midlands Breast Cancer Now group back in 2009. 

I actually became aware of the charity in 2008, when I saw an advertisement in the local paper for a charity walk in Sutton Park. I took part in this event and just remember feeling so much better for getting outdoors, in a beautiful location on a lovely sunny day, whilst being surrounded by positive and inspiring people who were there for the same reason as me. My mother was living with secondary breast cancer at the time and I wanted to do my bit to make a difference. 

I was so inspired by the walk that I decided to organise my own charity event with the help of my dance teacher. I had also got in touch with one of the Group members, Kathy, who was so supportive. My in-house ‘Dancer of the Year’ event was so much fun and my mum was thrilled to witness it – I will always remember how happy she looked seeing me dance. I was happy that I could do it for her and for all other women going through the rollercoaster she was on.

In 2009 my mum passed away at the age of 54 after 6 years of living with breast cancer. If I’m honest, the Group and charity work were literally the only things which got me through that time. Having witnessed the distress a very strong lady went through, I felt an overwhelming urge to create something positive from an incredibly painful situation and at least try to make a difference to other families going through a similar experience. My second event was to be a charity tea dance, with the involvement of a Strictly Come Dancing celebrity - Strictly was my mum’s favourite TV show whilst she was on treatment. The event really lifted my spirits as the support I received from the group, as well as the local community, was overwhelming.

I still love helping at local events when I can. I also enjoy getting involved with the campaigning that Breast Cancer Now do and am passionate about making sure Breast Cancer remains high on the political agenda.

I am so grateful to be part of this group and to know these incredibly strong and inspiring ladies; each of them also having their own breast cancer story to tell. Losing our Aileen to the disease last year was heartbreaking and has given us all even more determination to make it to our group target of £1million pounds, which will go towards vital research. The ultimate goal for me? To make Breast Cancer a disease which no woman has to fear. No family has to experience grief from. It will be a disease which can be treated effectively and women are able live their lives to the fullest, without Breast Cancer holding them back.  I do this for my wonderful mum, for our amazing Aileen, for all those that have been affected by Breast Cancer and for future generations to come

Andrea Wright

I lost my mum when I was 19. It was devastating. She was 42 when she died from breast cancer in 1972. 

My two daughters never knew their grandmother and they have always known that I have lived with the fear of developing breast cancer. As a family, we all became involved with Breakthrough, recently merged to become Breast Cancer Now, several years ago because of the charity’s commitment to research, holding pink parties and taking part in Race for Life. In 2006 I was diagnosed with hereditary breast cancer and was found to have a faulty BRCA gene. After personal family history research I discovered that generations of my maternal line had suffered in the same way. Both our daughters were tested for the faulty gene and most thankfully neither has inherited the fault.

(I urge anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation to get tested - it could save your life and inform other future family members.) 

We all continue to support and fundraise for Breast Cancer Now and having recently completed the £1000 challenge I had my mother’s name inscribed on the Challengers’ Wall in the hope that future generations can be free from the fear of breast cancer.

Julie Stephenson-Airey

About 15 years ago Julie Robinson asked if I would help with the organisation of a charity ball to raise funds for Breakthrough Breast Cancer in honour of her sister-in-law, Louise. As I had seen at first hand what a profoundly devastating effect this terrible disease can have on families I was only too pleased to be able to do something positive and have now been a part of the Sutton Coldfield Breakthrough Group since it began. During this time we have had a lot of fun fundraising and have met some of the most amazing people. I truly believe that one day, with everyone's help, Breakthrough will achieve their vision of a future free from the fear of breast cancer.

Julia Booth

I lost my Mum when I was 22. My Mum was 46 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer and 50 when she sadly died. Since then I have always supported breast cancer charities but had never been affiliated to a particular group. As I entered my forties I felt I wanted to redress this. Breakthrough appealed to me because of its' commitment to research and its' search for a 'future free from fear'. Although I am a relatively new member to the group I have been made to feel a vital part of it. It is full of enthusiasm and hope, it is pro-active not re-active. I am proud to be a member and hope to remove the fear for my children and their children.

Vicky White

I became involved with Breakthrough breast cancer after my lovely cousin Karen lost her brave battle to it in 2006, she was 37 years old.One of Karen's dreams was to walk the great wall of China and despite having raised thousands herself for Breakthrough, she never got to do this. I really wanted to do something in memory of Karen and so decided to complete her dream and take part in the Great Wall of China trek . Seeing someone so very close to me suffer really has made me want to become involved as much as I can and joining the Breakthrough Sutton Coldfield group has allowed me to do this.Being a part of the local group I have also met a unique bunch of ladies who are all inspirational, in their own ways. I raised over £6,000 on the China trek which was an amazing experience. I have also thrown myself out of a light aircraft at 12,000ft doing a skydive and completed the moonwalk in 2009.Every bit really does count and I feel honoured to be part of a group of people who dedicate their valuable time fund raising for the vital research that Breakthrough undertake.Karen’s mum who is my aunt, Jean Davis, is also a member of the group and continues to fundraise and dedicate her time to the cause.


We wouldn't be where we are today without the help of our ex-group members such as:Aileen Dinnes, Charlotte Wright, Fiona Callaghan, Sue Carpenter, Sharon Hilton, Dawn Holding, Margaret Campion, Jackie Townsend, Julia Longmore, Ruth Harland, Barbara Bagley, Sandra Ostins, Fiona Lowe, Jenny Hardy and Eileen Redfern..........