Back, from the left: Nick Eastwood (Wasps), West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, Judy Groves (Rigby Group), Derek Richardson (Wasps). Front, from the left, Sally Hall (Breast Cancer Haven), speaker Holly Matthews and Mary Rhodes (BBC presenter)
A hugely successful health and wellbeing event in the Midlands is set to return for a second consecutive year after drawing impressive crowds and raising thousands of pounds for breast cancer care.
More than 1,000 people attended the Being Well Festival at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry to learn health and self-care tips from industry professionals, take part in a range of health-related activities and hear from celebrities about their heath experiences.
The free event, which promoted happier, healthier lives by educating people about their health and general wellness, is set to return next autumn after a flurry of positive public feedback, generating more than £35,000 for the Breast Cancer Haven charity.
Among the high-profile speakers were Holly Matthews, award-winning Coventry vlogger and founder of The Happy Me Project, Deborah Mitchell, founder of Heaven Skincare, and Satnam Rana, BBC presenter, who all spoke publicly about the quest for good mental and physical health.
MasterChef 2016 winner and breast cancer survivor Jane Devonshire designed the menu for a sell-out VIP lunch, which contributed to funds raised at the event for the regional centre of Breast Cancer Haven in Solihull.
The centre provides emotional, physical and practical support for anyone affected by breast cancer including one-to-one therapy and counselling for family and friends.
The lunch was hosted by BBC presenters Mary Rhodes, who is chair of the Breast Cancer Haven, West Midlands Development Committee, and Eleanor Oldroyd of BBC Radio 5 Live.
Mary said: “A tremendous amount of work went into what turned out to be a very special day. We have had great feedback from those who attended, they found it informative, entertaining and inspirational.
“We had great support from our sponsors and are very grateful to the Ricoh Arena for their support and use of the Premier Lounge.”
Being Well included a question-and-answer session with TV presenter Simon Thomas alongside You, Me & The Big C podcast host Lauren Mahon and Steve Bland, husband to the late Rachel Bland, who all spoke movingly about their experiences of cancer.
For more information about Breast Cancer Haven visit: www.breastcancerhaven.org.uk.
