The Pink Puffins are fundraising for Breast Cancer Now and METUPUK.
An all-female yachting crew, made up of colleagues, friends and supporters of Fenton Vets, Pembrokeshire, has been raising vital funds for breast cancer charities in a striking pink yacht.
‘The Pink Puffins’ have been competing in dozens of races over the last six months, including weekly one-and-a-half-hour races in the River Cleddau, and a longer endurance trip to Tenby.
It forms part of major initiative organised by XLVets to raise thousands of pounds for deserving causes to mark the organisation’s 20th anniversary.
Skipper and vet Charlotte Hamilton was gifted the boat by her husband ahead of a planned round-the-world trip to deliver veterinary care to animals in remote locations. However, the team are also sailing in memory of their friend, Connie Johncock, who lived with metastatic breast cancer for 10 years before passing away.
Charlotte said: “I met my husband sailing and we have always shared a passion for the water. He bought me the yacht to practice sailing in so we can plan bigger adventures – and it’s become something far greater.
"The Pink Puffins began as a fun idea, but it has grown into a way to remember and honour people we love who have been affected by breast cancer, whilst supporting incredible charities.”
Charlotte is an experienced sailor who has previously crewed in events such as the Fastnet Race in 2017. However, the majority of the Pink Puffins crew have never sailed before.
She added: “Each week we welcomed several complete novices onboard, and I taught them to sail from scratch, which made the experience even more special.”
To date, The Pink Puffins have raised almost £2,500 through their fundraising efforts, including a quiz and raffle. Proceeds will be split equally between Breast Cancer Now and METUPUK, the UK’s only patient advocacy group dedicated to metastatic breast cancer.
Charlotte added: “Any donation, and all the cheers from the shore, made a huge difference. Our pink yacht is impossible to miss, and we hope it’s helped spark conversations about breast cancer.
“Although the yacht is now coming out of the water for winter, The Pink Puffins hope to sail again next year. I also plan to set sail on a charity round-the-world veterinary mission within the next two years with my husband.”
Image (C) XLVets/Fenton Vets/Candid PR.
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