The Bettina Bahlsen Charity Cup for Delete Blood Cancer UK
By Victoria Elsbury-Legg
This Monday (13th July) the gates of Twelve Oaks Polo grounds (Woodlands Lane, Windlesham GU20 6AT) will be opened for The Bettina Bahlsen Charity Cup day – an event coordinated by Bettina’s daughter Anuschka and her friends to raise awareness and funds for Delete Blood Cancer UK – a charity chosen by her mother.
As the Delete Blood Cancer UK website explains: ‘Someone is diagnosed with blood cancer in the UK every 20 minutes. Every minute of every day blood cancer takes a life somewhere in the world.’ The charity has been set up to increase the number of potential stem cell donors in the UK, so that there is a donor for everyone who needs one.
Anuschka and her family and friends came up with the idea for the fundraising event as Anuschka explained: ‘My mother was diagnosed with acute M1 Leukaemia and has been battling since October 2014. She was given very little, to no chance of survival. However, with the help and support of doctors, family and friends she was able to fight this disease and has been doing so ever since. She has had an amazing support group of family and friends which has helped her through her journey. I have been with my mother through it all so I know first-hand how mentally draining it can be. I would like to offer support as well as awareness to those in similar situations. It makes the biggest difference to have friends who empathise with the situation and I would like people to know you are not alone and together we can make a difference.’
The day is open to all with 100% of the proceeds going to the charity that Bettina has chosen to support. Tickets are £10 (cash) on the door.
For those who would like to attend, Gates open at 11am followed by:
11:30 – First kids polo game begins (there will be prizes after each game)
12:00 – Silent auction commences (will run throughout the day)
13:30 – Asado/BBQ will be ready
15:00 – Raffle
16:00/17:00 – The day comes to an end
If you would like to donate online please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/Anuschka-Bahlsen
Anuschka and her family would like to thank Graham Wooldridge for kindly hosting the event at his polo grounds, and all the sponsors for their generous donations for the auction. A huge thank you also goes to Grania and John Horswell and Sophie Kyriazi who have helped to organise the event.
The Bettina Bahlsen Charity Cup for Delete Blood Cancer UK has been sponsored by: Brian Stein, Clive Reid, Tally Ho Farm, McLaren Cars, Cool Hooves Polo and Guards Polo Club.