Have you ever wanted to see your boss dress up as Mickey Mouse running through a flying foam slalom?

Fancy dressing up in a stupid costume and running around London Streets?

Do you want to help raise awareness for Cancer Research?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions then you are in luck, because in Convent Garden Market, London is The Great Christmas Pudding Race.

It is one of the most exciting events of the festive period in aid of Cancer Research UK, and will be taking place tomorrow on Saturday 4^th December 2010 at 11:15am.

SILLY COSTUMES

Thousands gather to dress up in fancy dress clothes, as cartoon or Disney characters or silly clowns to run an obstacle course and raise money for charity!

This year there are special appearances by Charles Court Opera and the West End Gospel Choir, as well as BBC Celebrity MasterChef winner Lisa Faulkner.

2010 is the 30^th successive year the Great Christmas Pudding Race has been organised by Cancer Research Aid Committee (CRAC) on behalf of Cancer Research UK and supported by Matthew Walker and Covent Garden Market.

Even with the freezing weather conditions that have swept the UK over the past couple of weeks, wrap up warm and have a fun day out that is guaranteed with entertainment, guest celebrities and the chance for you and your company team/family to receive full media coverage.

MONIES RAISED

Last year the event raised £19,000 but over the 30 years it’s been taking place the race has contributed over £900,000 and helped provide vital equipment and facilities for Cancer Research UK.

Previous celeb involvement include Matthew Kelly, Bill Oddie, the cast of Eastenders, Cats and Dancing in The Street, Timothy Spall, Jon Snow, Ali Bongo, Fay Presto, Seamus Cullen, Andy Abraham, Kevin Kyle, Bonnie Langford and All Angels.

CRAC is part of the voluntary movement of Cancer Research UK, which is the world’s leading charity dedicated to cancer research, funding over 4,500 scientists, doctors and nurses based throughout the UK.

All monies raised will go to Cancer Research UK, for more information on how to sponsor or donate visit http://www.xmaspuddingrace.org.uk/Home.html

Don’t forget it’s only three weeks until Christmas Day so get planning your meal and your Christmas pudding desert!

Ulster Weavers have some fantastic Christmas lines to bring the holiday festivities into your home; with tea cosies, aprons oven gloves and much more.

Christmas Pudding Tea Cosy

Furry Christmas Pot Mitt

Terry Wogan and Pudsey the Bear

BBC’s Children in Need appeal’s night took place on Friday 19th December and it raised an incredible £18,098,199 million!      

The registered annual charity, although operating all-year round, takes place around this time of the year.  

The aim is to help raise crucial pennies to help improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.        

Although it didn’t raise quite as much as last year’s 2009 appeal, which was  the 30th Appeal and raised a record breaking £39 million, it is still an outstanding figure which will have a massive impact helping the lives of those aged 18 and under.      

It is world-wide known for its’ infamous brown cuddly mascot and logo, Pudsey, a yellow bear with a red bandage.      

ABOUT CHILDREN IN NEED      

The mission is to make a positive change to the lives of deprived children and young people right here in the UK. Their vision is a society where each and every child and young person is supported through school projects to realise their potential.      

They provide this support in the form of grants to organisations working with children who may have experienced mental, physical or sensory disabilities; behavioural or psychological disorders; are living in poverty or situations of deprivation; or suffering through distress, abuse or neglect.      

The BBC’s first broadcast appeal for children was a five-minute radio programme on Christmas Day in 1927, in which it raised £1,143 and the proceeds were shared with four prominent children’s charities.      

The first televised appeal was the 1955 ‘Children’s Hour Christmas Appeal’, presented by Sooty and Harry Corbett.      

The Christmas Day Appeals continued on TV and radio right up until 1979, raising a total of £625,836. It wasn’t until 1978 when Terry Wogan made his debut as its’ main presenter.      

HOW TO DONATE      

It is not too late give a small contribution to the charity!      

There are various methods of donating; including going online to the dedicated Donate page or calling 0345 7 33 22 33; or you can send a cheque through the post.   

You can find the address and all other details at the official Children in Need homepage here. 

Check out these Ulster Weavers shaped tea cosies…

FLOWER POT SHAPED CAFETIERE COSY

OWL SHAPED TEA COSY

All this month has been the official Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with major public state buildings and towns being lit up or painted in pink to create global publicity. 

And the purpose of the campaign? To raise awareness of breast cancer, encourage women to be breast aware and be a crucial fundraising opportunity for charities, such as Breast Cancer Campaign.  

People have worn pink ribbons and dyed their hair pink, but the official Wear it Pink Day is on Friday 29th October 2010. Team up everyone in your office or classroom, wear something pink and make a donation of £2. 

Many stores and companies are jumping on the band wagon, with all proceeds going to research for the charity. Debenhams are selling pink candles and breastfeeding covers; Pink Jelly Belly Sport Beans can be purchased online and designer Barbara Hulanicki has created  four stunning pink t-shirts for Asda’s Tickled Pink campaign. 

Facts about Breast Cancer 

-  Breast cancer is the most common cancer and accounts for nearly one in three of all cancers in women in the UK. 

- One woman in nine will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. 

- Every year around 12,000 women will die from breast cancer. 

- Men can also suffer from breast cancer. Although it is rare, almost 300 men are diagnosed each year in the UK. 

- The survival rate, in recent figures, show around 80 per cent of women in the UK diagnosed today will be alive in five years time. 

How to be breast aware? 

To be breast aware means becoming familiar with how your breasts look and feel, whatever your age. Understand how your breasts may change at different times during the month (when you’re having your period) and as you get older. 

These are the changes to look for and if you are in any doubt, visit your doctor: 

•  A lump or thickening which is different to the rest of the breast tissue
• Continuous pain in one part of the breast or armpit
• One breast becomes larger or lower
• A nipple becomes inverted or changes shape or position
• Skin changes including puckering or dimpling
• Swelling under the armpit or around the collarbone
• A rash on or around the nipple
• Discharge from one or both nipples

Remember the breast awareness five-point code: 

1. Know what is normal for you
2. Look and feel
3. Know what changes to look for
4. Report any changes without delay
5. Attend routine breast screening if you are aged 50 and over

How to raise money? 

You can donate several ways;  

Donate by post
Corporate donations
Payroll giving
Trusts and foundations
Donate shares
Pink Ribbon Tribute Funds 

How will your money help? 

Money raised will help the charity fund ground-breaking research, campaign for better services and treatments and promote the importance of breast awareness. Ultimately you are saving lives. 

Here are Ulster Weavers we are supporting this next week and all wearing something pink and have some fun suggestions for getting pink around the home to support the cause. 

Domestic Goddess Shaped Apron 

£14.99 

Charlotte Muff Tea Cosy 

                          £10.99 

Visit the official Breast Cancer Awareness website here.