13 February 2019
Organised by Leanne Mongahan, "The Advent Ball" at Springwood Hall in Kelso raised over £57,000 for Pancreatic Cancer Scotland and "the difference" Borders Macmillan Cancer Centre.
Around 560 people attended the event in December 2018 with tickets selling out within 24 hours of them going on sale and support being provided by over 50 businesses including headline sponsors NFU Mutual Newtown St Boswells, Maxwell Motors Ford and Simpson's Malt.
The event also inspired one of Scotland's leading rally car drivers, Garry Pearson, to help raise awareness of pancreatic cancer. With his sights set on becoming the 2019 Scottish Rally Champion Garry recently unveiled his car for the forthcoming season which features Pancreatic Cancer Scotland logos.
Leanne's fundraising drive has been in honour of her mum who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2016, aged 58, just 8 months after diagnosis and tragically just a couple of months before Leanne had her first child.
Like so many people, their family had barely heard of pancreatic cancer. When raising awareness of her fundraising, Leanne often spoke of the awful moment she searched online for "survival rates of pancreatic cancer" and discovered that of all the major cancers, pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rates and these numbers have barely changed in the last five decades.
When they heard that her mum's cancer was palliative, it was a moment which changed their world forever. Leanne said: "From the day we found out about the cancer, the Borders Macmillan Centre were a lifeline. They supported Mum and the entire family though an unimaginably tough time. We were amazed at how many ways they could support us. It is tough to admit you need support when it's not you that has cancer. They ensured I was able to continue as normal knowing I could talk to them at any time."
Previous fundraising has included Leanne organising a 26 mile walk with more than 90 people taking part, helping raise over £21,000 for Pancreatic Cancer UK and Macmillan Cancer Support.
With an aim to help change pancreatic cancer statistics and improve the outlook for patients and families, Leanne returned to Springwood Park, where she was delighted to handover cheques totalling £57,062.57 to Pancreatic Cancer Scotland and "the difference" Borders Macmillan Cancer Centre as well as helping to unveil Garry's newly branded rally car.
Garry, of Pearsons of Duns, said: "I attended The Advent Ball and was inspired to help raise awareness of pancreatic cancer, some of the figures are eye opening and we really need to do more to change them."
Dionne Denovan, Supporter Relations Co-ordinator for Pancreatic Cancer Scotland, said: "Leanne's enthusiasm and dedication to her fundraising was incredible. Throughout the whole process she was a force of nature. By working together with passionate people like Leanne and Garry we are able to spread awareness of the symptoms and work towards changing the outcome for those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer."
Brian Renwick, Fundraising Officer for the difference, said: "Leanne has done an amazing job for causes that are so dear to her. This donation will make such a difference to people throughout the Scottish Borders who use the Borders Macmillan Centre and the many services it provides."