Over £2,000 Raised by Sunderland Leisure Centres in Breast Cancer Fundraiser
A series of community-led fundraising events at leisure centres across Sunderland has generated more than £2,000 for Breast Cancer Now. Six centres managed by the leisure operator Everyone Active joined forces for the charity’s “Wear It Pink” event last Friday, with colleagues and visitors dressing in pink to show their support and raise awareness for breast cancer.
The events were organised across Everyone Active-managed centres, including Silksworth Sports Complex, Sunderland Aquatic Centre, Hetton Community Pool, Houghton Sports and Fitness Centre, Washington Leisure Centre, and Raich Carter Sports Centre. The activities ranged from themed fitness classes and bake sales to raffles and friendly competitions.
Marking Breast Cancer Now’s annual Wear It Pink day, each venue encouraged its members to participate in pink-themed activities and help fundraise for ongoing breast cancer research and awareness efforts. At Silksworth Sports Complex, tennis players took to the courts clad in pink dressing gowns, while energetic Clubbercise classes engaged participants in support of the cause. Sunderland Aquatic Centre organised a football game card competition to raise funds, while Hetton Community Pool and Houghton Sports and Fitness Centre hosted a Wear It Pink Zumba class and a coffee-and-cake gathering.
Some centres got creative with their outreach; Hetton Pool featured a pink flamingo mascot to raise awareness, and Washington Leisure Centre held a popular bake sale alongside a raffle for the day. The Raich Carter Sports Centre introduced £1 charity swim sessions to encourage donations, drawing participants from the local community to support Breast Cancer Now.
The community response was highly encouraging, with donations pouring in from both centre members and local residents. Organisers noted that the success of the event was a testament to the generosity of the Sunderland community.
Ian Bradgate, Everyone Active’s contract manager, expressed gratitude for the efforts of both staff and local residents. “A big thank you to our centre teams and the local community for supporting Wear It Pink,” said Bradgate. “The response was fantastic, and we were able to raise a significant sum for Breast Cancer Now. Our members and customers always show tremendous generosity when it comes to fundraising events. Thank you to everyone who participated.”
Breast Cancer Now is the charity partner of Everyone Active, which operates the leisure centres on behalf of Sunderland City Council. The funds raised from the Wear It Pink event will go directly toward supporting Breast Cancer Now’s research and support programmes, which aim to improve outcomes for individuals affected by breast cancer.
The Wear It Pink initiative has become a flagship fundraising event for Breast Cancer Now, encouraging participants across the UK to raise awareness and funds by wearing pink and hosting fundraising events in their communities. With cancer research and patient support resources facing increasing demand, organisers hope to continue growing awareness and support through events like these.
The £2,000 raised in Sunderland represents a community-driven effort towards tackling breast cancer, with Everyone Active looking forward to future collaborations to support critical health initiatives across the region.