Purple Ladies Tea Party raises awareness for pancreatic cancer

So many of you find innovative ways to fundraise and raise awareness of pancreatic cancer in your local communities, and we are so grateful for your support.   

One incredible supporter who has been doing this for many years is Kathleen. She has been  fundraising for Pancreatic Cancer UK since 2017  when her brother, Murdo Alex, was diagnosed with the disease.   

In recent years, she has joined forces with her friends to take this to another level. Together, they recently held their fourth  Purple Ladies Tea Party  on the Isle of Lewis,  raising over £6,000. She has now raised over £32,000 for Pancreatic Cancer UK. 

This is Kathleen’s story.

Murdo Alex didn’t start showing symptoms until a few weeks before he was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and given 11 months to live.   

This was utterly devastating for us as a family and we wanted to raise awareness for this disease, a disease that hits hard and fast, often without any warning. 

Murdo Alex was fit and healthy and I mean super fit, he was a keen runner and cyclist and often competed. He even competed in a duathlon during chemo, much to my Mother’s disgust!  

A talented chef, Murdo Alex was incredibly proud of his Hebridean heritage. During treatment, he began working on his book  HAAR The New Hebridean Kitchen, celebrating not only the outstanding local produce but also the breathtaking island landscapes that meant so much to him.

Sadly, he passed away before he could complete it, and finishing the book became my way of honouring his talent and passion. All royalties are shared between Pancreatic Cancer UK and Bethesda Hospice. 

Murdo Alex fought courageously, supported throughout by his strong Christian faith – and after more than 70 rounds of chemotherapy, he lost his battle in 2019 at just 42 years old.

Our first Purple Ladies event took place in 2017. This year marked our second without Murdo Alex, and we chose once again to share our proceeds with Bethesda Hospice – an absolute lifeline for our community, and for our family.

When Murdo Alex faced the toughest battle of his life, Bethesda was there: providing not just medical care, but dignity, comfort and peace in his final days. Their compassion extended to us as a family, offering support with grace and understanding. 

But Pancreatic Cancer UK and Bethesda can’t do their vital work alone. They need our help, our support and our commitment. Every donation truly matters. Each one brings us a step closer to earlier detection, better treatments, and ensuring that no one in our community faces their final days without that essential and compassionate care. 

The Purple ladies committee may be small but it is mighty and we are always overwhelmed by the support we receive from our community. We take over the local sports centre (Sporsnis) for two whole days, the local businesses who donate so generously to our raffle/auction, the bakers who donate delicious treats, a local musician who generously gives up his time to keep us entertained and of course to all our purple ladies who turn up so glamorously with their touch of purple.  

It is a privilege to be part of this amazing community. Each year we have had to up our ticket numbers, the response is truly incredible. 

This year we had our very own purple ladies candles, they were a huge success, we could have sold three times the amount, something to bear in mind for next year! Our pop-up shop with new or nearly new clothes and accessories is another favourite. Afternoon tea and shopping… what more could anyone ask for on a Saturday afternoon, especially while supporting two charities that are so close to many of our hearts. 

If you are inspired by Kathleen’s incredible efforts, find out how you can make a difference too.