A BROMSGROVE woman has won ITV’s regional Pride of Britain Award.

Veronica Kumeta, co- founder of Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer (LFBC), has been crowned the regional winner for ITV Fundraiser of the Year.

Veronica will travel down to London with 16 other fundraisers on October 30 to be in with a chance of being crowned the nation’s fundraiser of the year.

Ms Kumeta from Stoke Heath set up Ladies Fighting breast Cancer (LFBC) with Sue Macmaster when their friend Carol Knaggs was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000.

Carol lost her battle with cancer as did Sue when she was later diagnosed with the disease.

Veronica said: “I started raising money for equipment for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, equipment that the NHS were unable to purchase. The charity then wanted to look after patients in a non-medical way as I like to say to the girls we support; we are not medical; we are here to hold your hand."

Since then, LFBC has raised more than £1.5m funding two mobile mammogram units, including the UK’s first ever pink one.

LFBC’s biggest project is ‘hug in a bag’ which involves creating bags full of essential chemotherapy items such as a rug, cap, lip balm etc that have been suggested by ladies who have received the treatment.

The charity then sends the bags to hospitals, or to ladies that are in need.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Veronica Kumeta in front of the Floozie in the Jacuzzi in Birmingham's Victoria Square. Veronica Kumeta in front of the Floozie in the Jacuzzi in Birmingham's Victoria Square.

Veronica told The Advertiser she was utterly shocked when she received the Pride of Britain Award. She said: “That day, my head was scrambled as I was doing so many videos for the charity and I hate videos!

“I thought I was doing a video for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital but then suddenly Des Coleman walked in and disturbed the video, I was like what is going on?!

“I was just so in shock and so unbelievably grateful.

“This charity has been running for 21 years and any exposure and support is amazing.

“We don’t have any corporate support so I’m grateful the charity is getting more exposure from this!

Veronica added: “The charity is all about awareness and I still cannot believe girls are not checking themselves – do not die of ignorance!

“It is letting them know someone cares for them and they are into on their own.”

LFBC volunteer, Julia Williams said: “Veronica has been the beacon of light for hundreds of women faced with the devastating breast cancer diagnosis.

“It's wonderful to see her receive this award that she absolutely deserves.”

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Claire Shaw and Holly Shaw, created this year's bra for Floozie in the Jacuzzi. Claire Shaw and Holly Shaw, created this year's bra for Floozie in the Jacuzzi.

Every October volunteers create a bra to dress the famous Floozie in the Jacuzzi in Victoria Square, Birmingham to promote Breast cancer Awareness Month.

This year was no different, even though the Floozie was being moved for a restoration before the Commonwealth games.

Sew with Holly, a Stourbridge based sewing shop, created the masterpiece that was draped on the Floozie for a few minutes before she was escorted off for a makeover.

The next event for LFBC is on October 22 – Breast Cancer Awareness Day – at Simthons in Hewell Road, Barnt Green from 10am to 4pm.

Volunteers will be hosting a coffee morning and raffle with prizes donated from local Barnet Green businesses.

To donate to the charity's hug in a bag initiative, visit justgiving.com/campaign/hugs-in-a-bag.