Over 100 people came out to support Harborough street party

Centre, organiser Charlotte Smith with junior bakeoff youngsters during the Stand Up For Cancer event on Berry Close in Great Bowden on Sunday.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER — Centre, organiser Charlotte Smith with junior bakeoff youngsters during the Stand Up For Cancer event on Berry Close in Great Bowden on Sunday. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

Over 100 people pitched up in dazzling spring sunshine on Sunday (April 18) to support a street in Market Harborough uniting to fight cancer.

Five women living in Berry Close, Great Bowden, staged the all-singing all-dancing street party as they targeted raising £450 to swell the Stand Up To Cancer campaign coffers.

And they smashed their target and exceeded all expectations by raking in an astonishing £1,055 after laying on a feast of great fun and good food.

Jan Haynes and Claire Copping of Carma's Bar during the Stand Up For Cancer event.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER — Jan Haynes and Claire Copping of Carma's Bar during the Stand Up For Cancer event. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

Taking a well-earned breather after helping organise the event, jubilant Charlotte Smith, 34, said: “It was a huge success.

“The sun shone and so many people turned out to come and support us – it was unbelievable.

“People spent an average £5-£10 – and we’ve raised over £1,000.

“So it was absolutely fantastic.

Anyone for cake? Helen Freeman, Hannah Burrows, Charlotte Smith and Rena Gadhia during the Stand Up For Cancer event on Berry Close in Great Bowden.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER — Anyone for cake? Helen Freeman, Hannah Burrows, Charlotte Smith and Rena Gadhia during the Stand Up For Cancer event on Berry Close in Great Bowden. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

“Families loved getting out in the beautiful sunshine and getting behind such a brilliant cause,” said Charlotte, a mum-of-two.

“Cancer touches just about every family in the country.

“So the amazing Stand up to Cancer campaign really does strike a chord.”

Supporters took part in raffles and tucked into homemade cakes, samosas and vegan treats washed down by a coffee - and lemonade made by Junior Bake Off volunteers.

Raffle prizes galore...Laura Brookes with daughter Sophia aged three.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER — Raffle prizes galore...Laura Brookes with daughter Sophia aged three. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

“It just goes to show that you don’t need months to prepare and organise because we’ve got this together in just the last few weeks.

“Everyone in our team has played a vital role and it was great to see it all come together because we really did hit this for six,” said Charlotte.

“Now we are already talking about what to do next!

“So watch this space because I’m sure we’ll be coming up with an equally-successful sequel in the weeks and months to come!”

You can find out much more about Stand Up To Cancer – which is also being supported by Channel 4’s The Great Celebrity Bake Off – on their website here: https://www.standuptocancer.org.uk/

Over 100 people came out to support Harborough street party - and Stand Up To Cancer