The Pink Puffins have raised almost £2,500 for breast cancer charities.
Vets Are ‘puffin’ Through Mammoth Pink Yacht Racing Challenge
4 weeks ago 
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A team of vets and nurses from Fenton Vets in Pembrokeshire swapped the surgery for the sea after forming an all-female crew and sailing a striking pink yacht in dozens of races to raise vital funds for two breast cancer charities.
The Pink Puffins, made up of colleagues, friends, and supporters of Fenton Vets have been racing a 24ft Achilles yacht from April to September this year. The boat, which was gifted to skipper Charlotte Hamilton by her husband, to build her confidence ahead of a planned round-the-world trip helping deliver vet care to animals in remote locations, has been transformed into a head-turning bright pink yacht to raise awareness of breast cancer in the community.
Fenton Vets is also participating in the challenge as part of a major initiative by independent veterinary practices throughout the UK, to raise tens of thousands of pounds for deserving causes to mark XLVets’ 20th anniversary. XLVets is a community of independently owned veterinary practices that work collaboratively for the greater good of the veterinary profession.
Charlotte explained: “I met my husband sailing and we have always shared a passion for the water. He bought me the yacht to practice sailing in so we can plan bigger adventures – and it’s become something far greater. The Pink Puffins began as a fun idea, but it has grown into a way to remember and honour people we love who have been affected by breast cancer, whilst supporting incredible charities.”
Despite being led by Charlotte, an experienced sailor who has previously crewed in events such as the Fastnet Race in 2017, The Pink Puffins are far from being a professional squad. Charlotte added: Most of our crew have never sailed before. Each week we welcomed several complete novices onboard, and I taught them to sail from scratch, which made the experience even more special.”
The Pink Puffins competed in weekly one-and-a-half-hour races on the River Cleddau, organised by Pembroke Haven Yacht Club and Neyland Yacht Club, as well as taking on longer endurance events including a 15-hour round trip to Tenby. Throughout the season, the team frequently welcomed Fenton Vets colleagues aboard, even dedicating an entire days sailing to staff from the practice.
Vets, nurses, receptionists, managers and support staff have all taken part including Joy Williams, who recently celebrated 50 years at Fenton Vets, practice director Lisa Philips and fellow director Shaun Sinclair, who both attended the team’s end-of-season celebration night.
The Pink Puffins enjoyed fantastic support at that event, a quiz and raffle night, which raised a further £800, and that has brought the fundraising total to nearly £2,500.
Charlotte said: “I can’t thank my colleagues enough for making the racing season possible, by planning our rotas and shifts around the sailing season, in order to support this deeply personal cause. We have been sailing in memory of my friend, Connie Johncock, who lived with metastatic breast cancer for 10 years before sadly passing away. Connie was a trustee of METUPUK and a passionate advocate for improving outcomes for women with metastatic breast cancer. We also raced in honour of my mum, who has successfully undergone treatment.”
Proceeds will be split equally between Breast Cancer Now and METUPUK. Breast Cancer Now is the UK’s largest breast cancer charity, funding world-class research and providing life-changing support. It believes that by 2050, everyone diagnosed with breast cancer will live – and be supported to live well. METUPUK is the UK’s only patient advocacy group dedicated to metastatic breast cancer, campaigning for better access to treatment and ultimately working towards turning breast cancer from an incurable disease into a manageable condition.
Charlotte added: “Any donation, and all the cheers from the shore, made a huge difference. Our pink yacht is impossible to miss, and we hope it’s helped spark conversations about breast cancer. Although the yacht is now coming out of the water for winter, The Pink Puffins hope to sail again next year. I also plan to set sail on a charity round-the-world veterinary mission within the next two years with my husband.”
To support The Pink Puffins’ fundraising efforts, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/sailing-for-breast-cancer to donate.
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