Named in the King’s Birthday Honours List in June, unstinting Against Breast Cancer fundraiser Jeanne Chattoe was presented with the British Empire Medal at a glittering ceremony at Blenheim Palace.
Jeanne’s steadfast commitment to raising funds for the charity’s vital research into a cure for breast cancer began 30 years ago, following the death of her sister Delia from the disease aged 41. Since then Jeanne, who lives in Witney and is a trustee of Against Breast Cancer, has twice fought breast cancer herself, forging on regardless as she spearheaded raising a staggering total of £1m.
A large portion of that money, well over £250,000, has been generated by the legendary annual Witney in Pink Day, organised for the past 23 years by Jeanne and members of the Against Breast Cancer Witney Fundraising Team. The entire town centre becomes a sea of pink, decked in pink balloons (all biodegradable) with pink shop windows, a cavalcade of pink cars and lorries, street entertainment, tin collection, tombola, cake and craft stalls. This year it smashed all records by raising in excess of £7,000. It’s a much-loved, feel-good community event that receives sterling support year in, year out.
Jeanne was presented with her BEM at His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire Awards 2023 at Blenheim Palace on November 2. The presentation was made by the Lord-Lieutenant, Marjorie Glasgow, and the citation outlining Jeanne’s charity work was read by the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, Sally Scott. Jeanne was accompanied to the ceremony by her husband, Mark Chattoe, and long-standing member of the ABC Witney Fundraising team, Denise Barkley.
Jeanne revealed: “The ceremony was awesome it was such a privilege to be there, in fact it didn’t feel real and it was quite overwhelming and emotional.
“Receiving the BEM felt really humbling but I think the award is also a testament to everyone who has helped me over the years raising money for this amazing charity.”
The awards ceremony, which also featured the commission of Deputy Lieutenants, the appointment of the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadets and awards for meritorious service, was supported by the Reserve Forces & Cadets Association for the South East and A Company, 7th Battalion The Rifles.