More than 1,700 women are estimated to have pulled on their pink wigs and brightest clothes to parade through Falmouth in a display of solidarity and sistership.
The annual Pink Wig Night has become the traditional way to kickstart Falmouth Week and each year its popularity only grows.
Now the largest ‘ladies only’ night in the area, it raises money for Cornwall Breast Care Team and Breast Cancer Now.
Falmouth mayor Kirstie Edwards said afterwards: “Pink Wig you were amazing – 1,734 (I think) Falmouth women dancing and singing and spreading joy for one night.
“The sisterhood is so strong in this incredible town. Thank you ladies – I think you are all awesome! I am grateful for each and every one of you.
“Also thanks to Falmouth and Helston Police for all your work tonight, keeping us all safe with a smile, and Infinitus Security for always being there, supporting and doing your professional thing. All of you are legends.
“And of course thanks always to Fred Thomas aka 'Betty' and Cornwall Marine Network’s Paul for all the time and energy you give to our community. We love you.
“A massive shout out to the Pink Wig events team who do an incredible job year-on-year for this amazing charity. As volunteers, our town is built on the shoulders of legends!”
As always, women gathered at the Greenbank Hotel for a pre-parade party in the marquee on Greenbank Quay, which was open It was then time for the women to do their thing, leaving their menfolk to enjoy the live music while they set off on their walk through the town, around The Moor and on to the Waterfront Car park.
They were led, as usual, by Falmouth Marine Band in fitting costumes, along with Betty Stogs and Pink Wigs’ own mascot Mabel Moobs.
This year’s theme was Pyjama Party, which saw women pulling on their pinkest nightwear, while the official T-shirt design for 2023 displayed this year’s slogan: “Before you nap, check your baps!”
Last year saw the event’s most successful year to date, raising £30,000, and while the total for 2023 is yet to be confirmed it looks likely to be just as impressive.
Pink Wig started with a group of friends coming together in 2009 to wish Sally Hicks Wood well following her breast cancer diagnosis, pending chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy treatment.
On that night a group of 20 women decided to wear a pink wig for a giggle and went around the Falmouth pubs. People tried to give them money, which they didn’t take, but it did sow the seed of an idea for a fundraising event when Sally’s first lot of treatment was finished.
The following year around 70 ‘pink wiggers’ went on a pub crawl armed with Breakthrough Breast Cancer collection tins and raised £1000. The year after that the number had grown to 150 women.
It had become too big for the town’s pubs, and 2012 saw the first event associated with Falmouth Week, which raised £7,700.
Sally sadly passed away in 2014 but her legacy continues, with £147,710 now raised for Breast Cancer Now and The Mermaid Centre at the Royal Cornwall Hospital, up to this year.
See all the images in the photo gallery above. Pictures: Colin Higgs
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