Warwick and Leamington were awash with pink earlier this month as local businesses and residents came together for the very first 'Turn It Pink' campaign.

The camping, organised by the Warwick and Leamington Spa Cancer Research UK committee, aimed to unite the towns in support of life-saving cancer research through fundraising events, window displays, and community activities.

So far, over £13,000 has been raised for Cancer Research UK from Turn it Pink, with the funds still being totalled. 

This came from a combination of local retailers' donations, business-led raffles, and committee-run events such as the Pink Whisper evening, bucket collections, and prize draws.

Around 100 businesses across both Warwick and Leamington took part in the campaign including selling pink iced cakes .(image supplied)

Speaking on the campaign's success, Chair of the Leamington Spa and Warwick Cancer Research UK Committee, Deborah Barleggs said: "It's a significant amount of money for us to be able to to send off to Cancer  Research UK, so we're really incredibly proud of all our achievements."

She added: "As a committee we worked together really well as a team and all had very different strengths and that's always rewarding when you're leading a team and everyone's having a good time and also working hard and doing something purposeful."

For Deborah, one of the standout moments of the campaign was a 1920s-themed fundraising evening, held at Leamington's the Terrace Restaurant and Hush Bar.

Guests included business owners, residents, and supporters and many dressed up in pink and vintage-inspired outfits for a night of live music, dancing, and raffles.

Other businesses decked out their shop windows with pink decorations (image supplied)

Around 100 businesses across both Warwick and Leamington took part in the campaign in total, decking out their shopfronts with pink, hosting raffles, and creating pink-themed products.

Amongst the businesses were The Cakery on Regent Grove in Leamington, who raised £237 through sales of pink cakes, while Warwick's Coco Rose boutique, which brought in £520 including through a customer raffle.

"Some businesses loved the creativity of their pink window displays, others enjoyed the chance to talk to customers about the campaign," expressed Deborah. 

The camping, organised by the Warwick and Leamington Spa Cancer Research UK committee, aimed to unite the towns in support of life-saving cancer research (image supplied)

"We've had brilliant feedback from businesses and people who took part and they're already asking to participate again next year."

The committee hopes to double the number of participating businesses in 2026 and even introduce a friendly competition for the best-decorated window or most successful fundraiser next year.

"We'd love to turn Warwick and Leamington pink again next year for Cancer Research" said Deborah.

For more information about Royal Leamington Spa and Warwick Local Committee visit here.

Gemma Hancocks at The Cakery in Regent Grove (image via Leamington Photographic Society)