We have seven members and many supporters fully commited to raising money in aid of Children's Cancer research.
Our History
Cancer Research Campaign as it was in 1998 invited Karen (Committee Secretary) and Malcolm Weaving (honorary Member) for an interview with a view to hosting a fund raising event at their hotel – Stirk House in Gisburn.
They were chosen out of several other hotels interviewed to host a fund raising ball and the first Lancashire County ball was held at the Stirk House Hotel in March 1998 and raised £10,000.00. As this event was a resounding success Cancer Research Campaign then urged Karen and Malcolm Weaving to continue to raise funds on their behalf and suggested a luncheon club since they were quite successful in Cheshire. The first luncheon was held in September 1998 and immediately recruited over 400 members and raised £3,000.00.
In addition Lady Waddington was invited to become our President and accepted.
The Ribble Valley Ladies Luncheon Club was well and truly successfully launched!!!!!
On raising £250,000.00 HRH the Duke of Gloucester was invited and accepted an invitation to one of our lunches. The Duke of Gloucester also re-visited us on the 9th September of this year to collect a further cheque and an update regarding progress. From 2004 Karen and Malcolm moved to Rendezvous Hotel in Skipton, Yorkshire and hence White Rose the sister to Ribble Valley was launched to the press in September of that year to a very interested audience.
We now host many events and activities including black tie balls, charity fashion shows and indeed many sporting events including many runners in several London Marathons.
In addition we are supported by our President Jana Khayat, former Chair Woman of Fortnum & Mason and a family member of the prestigous Weston dynasty, Santa Montefiore our former President (sister of Tara Palmer Tompkinson), Nigel Evans MP (loyal long term supporter) Neil and Christine Hamilton, Fortnum and Mason (London), Rackhams Department Store of Skipton and Cosgrove Mens and Ladies Wear of Whalley and Rimington together with many others.
Our money goes a long way to funding at present Professor Jillian Birch who is a Research Scientist and Director of the Cancer Research UK Paediatric and Familial Cancer Research Group at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. She has attended several of our lunches and has inspired our members with reports of the enormous progress made in recent years.
To date we have raised over half a million pounds – ONWARDS AND UPWARDS
About the members
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Karen Weaving ( Secretary ) Secretary of Ribble Valley (later Ribble Valley & White Rose Ladies) since it was formed in 1998. Proprietor with her husband of Rendezvous Hotel in Skipton, home to many of the Yorkshire events of RV/WR Ladies. Been proud to be involved with the hard working committee who together have received numerous accolades from Cancer Research Campaign (now Cancer Research UK) and Cancer Research UK for their commitment and dedication not just to raising vital funds for Cancer Research UK but specifically for research into childhood cancers.We have been fortunate in having Santa Montefiore as our President for the past 3 years – now handing over to Jana Khayat ex chairman of Fortnum & Mason who took over the Presidency on 1st January, 2009. The committee have twice hosted a lunch for some 200 members and invited guests for His Royal Highness Duke of Gloucester (President of Cancer Research UK). |
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Yvonne Cannings ( committee member ) I was invited to my first lunch at Stirk House way back in the year 2000 and thoroughly enjoyed it - what a great way to raise money. Some time later I was delighted to be asked to join the committee and the rest as they say is history. I feel honoured and priviledged to be part of the team and although it is incredibly hard work we also have lots of fun too. We have now raised a phenomenal sum of money and every penny is put to good use. On a personal note I am a full time working Mum as are all the committee members.I have 3 boys, Ben who would now be 25 years old tragically died from Hodgkins Disease in July of 1999 aged just 15 years, Lee at 22 who is a member of the arme forces and has just become a Dad. He has named his little boy after Ben his brother which brought both happiness and sadness at the same time and Sam aged 18 who is currently allegedly studying for A levels. Sam has become a volunteer speaker for Cancer Research UK. |
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Dorothy Cosgrove ( Treasurer ) I was born in Liverpool in 1943 I attended the Liverpool Girls College and left there to do an I.M.A degree in Institutional Management and Catering. My first job was as a Junior Assistant Domestic Bursar at Didsbury Training College I then moved to The Keirby Hotel in Burnley as Housekeeper. I married Ronnie in 1965 and had 2 Daughters Susan & Helen .Ronnie Died in 1979 at the age of 39. Two years later I married Cossie.At this stage I was assisting in the running of R.E. Duckworth & Son Ltd.Road Haulage and Transport Business. I became Treasurer or Ribble Valley Ladies Luncheon Club at the outset of the committee and still enjoying it after 11 years. |
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Karen Mendoros For over 10 years I have supported the Ribble Valley Ladies, (now Ribble Valley & White Rose Ladies), and was always very impressed with their most professional and effective approach to fundraising. I was hugely surprised and honoured when in October 2009 I was invited by the RVWRL to take on the role of Chairman. Now I feel immensely privileged to be working with the tirelessly hardworking and selfless ladies of the committee and am gaining enormous pleasure in pursuing our fundraising goals together. I am also immensely thankful to the many other people who have generously supported us over the years and continue their dedicated efforts to raise funds for desperately needed research. I am constantly moved by the enormous efforts of all who contribute to fighting cancer |