There was expert advice aplenty for the 100 women at Chai Cancer Care’s spa day, which raised more than £30,000.
Celebrity hairdresser Nicky Clarke gave a styling demonstration, nutritionist Ian Marber discussed antioxidants and ageing, Pilates founder Alan Herdman advised on techniques and personal trainer Matt Roberts covered fitness and lifestyle choices. The day also included tennis coaching, yoga and fitness sessions and a lunch donated by caterers Jason Millan and Tony Page.

The importance of Chai’s support was highlighted by 22-year-old student Alex Samuels, who has non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. He told guests: “If it hadn’t had been for Chai, I don’t think my cancer journey would have been the same. Chai let me be myself. They were there to pick me up when I was feeling down. They were there to listen to my concerns about my illness and treatment. They were there to make me feel human again when I had felt like a science experiment.

“They were there for my parents, my sister and my grandparents to help them cope with what was going on. They gave me confidence to go out when I was bald and had no eyebrows. You can’t comprehend what going through cancer is like — not only for the sufferer, but the people around them — until you have been there yourself.”
So impressed was one of the guests that she has already approached Chai to say she would be organising a group climb of Kilimanjaro to raise much needed funds.