Boot Out Breast Cancer Ball raises essential funds for Macclesfield Hospital’s Breast Screening Unit

Patients across East Cheshire are set to benefit from a major investment in diagnostic technology, thanks to a significant donation from the 2026 Boot Out Breast Cancer Ball.

The event, held on Saturday 7th March at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, raised over £116,000 to be shared between the Breast Screening Units at Macclesfield District General Hospital and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Debbie Dowie, who founded Boot Out Breast Cancer, hosted the event which provided guests with an enchanting Midsummer Night’s Dream–themed evening, filled with magic, entertainment, and purpose.

Debbie founded the charity in 2010 following her own breast cancer diagnosis, and having experienced firsthand the life-saving importance of early detection, she has dedicated her work to ensuring NHS units across the North West have access to the latest breast cancer diagnostic technology.

She said:

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to my incredible team, my amazing family, and every single person who supported Boot Out Breast Cancer. Your generosity, energy and belief in what we do helped us raise an incredible £116,062, and donations are still coming in.”

“The money raised on the night, together with donations received beforehand, means we are able to fund £100,000 of vital diagnostic equipment for the Leeds Breast Unit and £150,000 for the breast unit at New Alderley House in Macclesfield.”

The evening was hosted by BBC Sports presenter Hugh Ferris, bringing his signature energy and warmth to the stage, whilst live music was provided by Kevin Simm, lead vocalist of Wet Wet Wet.

Britain’s most decorated Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, who recently visited the Breast Screening Unit at Macclesfield, featured in a special promotional film which was shown at the ball.

Dame Sarah, a patron of the Boot Out Breast Cancer charity, used the visit to highlight the critical importance of early diagnosis.

Lily Preston, Fundraising and Events Manager at East Cheshire NHS Charity, said:

We are incredibly grateful to Debbie and the Boot Out Breast Cancer team for their unwavering support.

“A donation of this scale allows us to invest in the very latest diagnostic technology that sits outside of core NHS funding and will provide the best possible tools to improve patient outcomes.”

If you would like to donate, you can by clicking on this link:

BOBC Donation to help purchase breast cancer equipment for NHS Breast Units in England and Wales. - Boot Out Breast Cancer

Pictured - The 2026 Boot Out Breast Cancer Ball at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester.

Picture Credit - Linda Mulvey Photography.