Colostomy Association celebrates 10th anniversary

24 July, 2015

On the 11th and 12th July, The Colostomy Association celebrated 10 years of supporting people with a stoma at our 10th anniversary weekend.

Hundreds of people came down to Reading to celebrate the past 10 years of the Colostomy Association as well as looking ahead to the future.

Open Day

The Colostomy Association’s main mission is to ensure that anyone with a stoma is provided with enough information and support to live life to their full potential. Our 10th anniversary Open Day was a fantastic way for hundreds of people to find out what support is available to them.

Our exhibitor hall featured dozens of stalls from stoma manufacturers and national charities. Attendees also had the chance to book themselves one-to-one appointments with stoma care nurses ready to answer their questions and queries.

The Open Day featured a series of talks covering topics such as hernias, support garments and changes in stoma care. Additionally, guest speakers from organisations such as The Breakaway Foundation shared information about some of the fantastic work they are doing.

Gala Dinner

In the evening, sponsors, volunteers and supporters came together to celebrate 10 years of the Colostomy Association at our fundraising gala dinner.

Guests enjoyed a special three-course meal with complimentary wine as well as a range of cabaret and vintage entertainment courtesy of the House of Beau.

Additionally, the dinner was also an opportunity to thank the work of CA supporters with awards given out to celebrate the outstanding work of stoma care nurses and volunteers.

Of course, the evening was also a great opportunity to raise some additional funds for the charity with a 10th anniversary auction and the winners of our car raffle announced – over £20,000 was raised for vital services provided by the Colostomy Association.

Fashion Show

On Sunday, we looked towards a brighter and better future for people with an ostomy– where the stigma of having a stoma no longer exists – with our ostomate Fashion Show.

11 brave people took to the catwalk to demonstrate that having a stoma is no barrier to looking good or living life to the full. Our models were of all ages and showed off a range of clothing from comfy and casualwear to formal and fancy clothes.

One of the models who took part, Davina Jowett, said: “I was really honoured that I was invited to be a part of the Colostomy Association’s 10th anniversary, to be able to strut my stuff on the catwalk and show others that you can have a stoma and look and feel amazing, I feel proud to of overcome the fears of living with a stoma and I hope it will help others with the poo taboo!”

Additionally, the CA held a one-off handbag shwap event where attendees could snap up designer handbags and purses for under £20. The sale was a huge success, raising over £600 for the Colostomy Association.