A Married at First Sight star is set to host a sell out International Women’s Day event on Friday, with proceeds from the event going to two Bolton charities.
The Ladies Empowerment Circle based in Bolton are set to celebrate inclusion and women from across the borough with proceeds going to Our Bolton NHS Charity and Bolton Wanderers in the Community.
The event will be taking place from 12pm to 3pm at Retreat in Bolton on Chorley New Road.
Sarah Hulme, a businesswoman from Lostock, who set up the group to create a network that empowers and inspires women, has announced Matt Jameson will be the main host on the day.
Matt, 41, from Leeds, featured in E4’s reality show Married at First Sight back in 2021 and works in the charity sector.
He said he is looking forward to celebrating with women from across the borough.
Matt said: “It's important to me to support international women's day and this event because I've been inspired by so many incredible women in my life.
“My mum is such a positive force in my life and has taught me how to be strong and independent in the face of anything.
“Being a gay man the majority of influence in my life has been positive female role models.
“So, when Sarah who runs the Ladies Empowerment Circle asked me, I jumped at the chance.
“Let's celebrate together!”
There will then be a lunch inside the restaurant for 70 women.
Speakers on the day will include Stacey Withington, Sharon Bailey, Carol Grech, Heather Rose and Lisa Adams.
Sarah said: “It is the year anniversary now of the Ladies Empowerment Circle and we will be celebrating International Women’s Day on Friday at Retreat in Bolton, we have got a sell-out charity lunch raising money for Our Bolton NHS Charity and also an auction raising funds for Stacey Withington’s cancer fundraiser.
“It is a sell out afternoon, but I am so excited because we have got Matt Jamieson who is a lovely guy who was in Married at First Sight, he is hosting our event for us, which is so kind of him to do and it is a real surprise for the ladies.
“It has come about last minute but we are so excited, and we will also be linking with our sponsor The Support Act, an up and coming t-shirt brand, all about supporting mental health and sobriety and it is an incredible cause.
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“£5 from each of the tickets sold will also be going to Bolton Wanderers in the Community to help our local community.
“We are just so excited.”
Since March last year, the Ladies Empowerment Circle has raised more than £4,000 for Our Bolton NHS charity.
Their fundraising events so far include an NHS 75 raffle, a Christmas lunch and shopping event, and on Friday March 8, the group will add to their impressive list with an event to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Sarah said: “I wanted to create an accessible network where ladies feel better when they come away, having spent time in a room of inspiring women where they can access support to overcome any hurdle.
“All of our members have accessed the NHS in some way, but we didn’t realise how Our Bolton NHS Charity helps to enhance the experience of patients and staff.
The group’s International Women’s Day event will include a raffle that will raise dedicated funds for the trust’s breast services.
Sarah said: “One of our keynote speakers at the event is a young Bolton mum of two who has been diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time and is currently having chemotherapy treatment.
“It feels really special on International Women’s Day to raise money for a service that helps so many women every single year by making sure they have all the support they need.”
Sarah Skinner, charity manager at Our Bolton NHS Charity, said: “As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, it’s very fitting to mark our first anniversary of partnership-working with the Ladies Empowerment Circle.
“The partnership with the Ladies Empowerment Circles demonstrates how a local business community can work with its local NHS charity by harnessing the unique talents of its members to create social impact in creative and meaningful ways.”
The Support Act, a visionary new brand committed to blending fashion and philanthropy are the main sponsors of the event.
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