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Breakthrough Breast Cancer ambassador Kerry Rubins will celebrate raising an outstanding £100,000 for the charity with a community party next year.
The party will be held at The Astor Theatre in Stanhope Road, Deal on Friday, February 13, starting at 6.45pm for pink ticket holders – those who have personally supported Miss Rubins to reach this terrific target. Doors will officially open at 8pm.
The event will be free and people are invited to wear something pink in recognition of the charity’s colour and coincidently Miss Rubin’s favourite colour.
She said: “This is not a fundraiser, it’s a thank-you party from me to the community for all of their support. It’s for anyone who’s ever contributed to reaching this target, even if you have just put a pound in one of my buckets, you are more than welcome.
“Local businesses who have donated money and raffle prizes are especially welcome.”
She added: “I will be funding this myself, however Dan Sinclair of Handy Dan has kindly offered to sponsor the event.”
There will be live music and DJs including Adam White, who produced and recorded ‘Precious’ a track which raised funds for the charity.
She said: “I’m going to call it the 100k legacy party in memory of Julie Mortimer. It’s her legacy.”
Miss Rubins, who has just returned from climbing Machu Picchu in Peru where she raised £9,000, began fundraising for the charity in 2006 alongside her good friend Julie Mortimer.
Sadly, Julie died from breast cancer in December 2010, but Miss Rubins carried on the voluntary work in her friend’s memory.
She has since established two annual walks in the town; The Crocus Walk, which is in its tenth year and The Stepping Out Walk.
She said: “Every time I go across the cliffs on the Crocus Walk, I get so emotional. You just see this array of pink coming towards you. You just know everyone is there for one reason. We really are a pink force.”
She also holds regular fundraising events such as sponsored bike rides and quizzes, to raise cash and awareness.
She added: “There’s just been so many highlights I can’t pinpoint one.
“Every event just means so much.”
On hearing the news of Miss Rubins’ achievement, Breakthrough Breast Cancer spokeswoman Joanne Rose said: “We are so incredibly grateful for all of Kerry’s support and so proud of her for reaching a fantastic £100,000. This money will make a huge difference to our lifesaving research and will enable us to carry on the fight to stop breast cancer for good.
“We really couldn’t continue our work without the support of people like Kerry. She is a fantastic ambassador for Breakthrough and hugely passionate about what she does for us and we would love to continue working with Kerry.”
Cllr Marlene Burnham has supported Miss Rubin’s work for many years, making appearances at her events and taking part in her walks.
She said: “I have supported Kerry in her endeavours as much as I can.
“She is an amazing lady and she has done this from the bottom of her heart for a friend who she sadly lost to this terrible disease.
“To do what she has done is amazing, splendid!
“Well done Kerry. And it doesn’t end there. The more that everyone can do, the better.”
Dover and Deal MP Charlie Elphicke said: “Kerry has done amazingly. Raising £100,000 to battle breast cancer is just incredible. Kerry’s walks and events bring everyone together and enable everyone to do their bit to beat this disease.”