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It’s not a case of painting the town red, but rather a village pink for one community.

For one week, from October 8 to October 15, Green Hammerton will be turned into “Pink Hammerton” for the first time as it plays host to a number of events to raise money for three cancer charities.

The woman behind this all is Liz Hines, who chairs the Pink Hammerton 2011 committee. Cancer is close to the mum-of-two’s heart.

“Four years ago, on my 40th birthday, I found a lump in my breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was the third member of our family to be affected by cancer,” says York-born Liz, who lost both her parents to the disease.

Liz has lived in Green Hammerton for 10 years, moving from Leeds with husband Paul.

When she went through surgery and treatment, with no other family close by she found additional support from the friends she had made in the village.

“Family could only do so much, but everybody in the village just rallied around – somebody came and did my ironing, somebody came and did my cleaning and they were just amazing. I don’t think I could have got through it had I not lived in Green Hammerton. We lived in Leeds previously and there just isn’t that community.”

Liz and some friends decided to embark on this fun, pink challenge, with the aim of hitting a target of £15,000 for St Michael’s Hospice, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Yorkshire Cancer Centre. Explaining why, she adds: “There are lots of other people in the village who have been affected by cancer; people who have lost people or other people who have been diagnosed and I thought it would be really nice to do something fun for a change.

“I was very much inspired by Jane Tomlinson because she was very ill around the time that I was diagnosed. She died the year I was diagnosed.”

The 44-year-old receptionist for Green-Tech, which also changes its name for a week to Pink-Tech, says the support and contributions she has received from people and businesses in the area have blown her away.

“I’ve been quite humbled really how raising money for cancer has obviously motivated so many people to get up and do something,” she says.

The event is one Liz hopes will run every two years: “Our target is £15,000 and I think we’re going to smash that to be honest. If we beat the target we will do it again.”

Telling one story of the community spirit here, Liz explains how every year the Kirkwood family in the village give away the plums from their tree.

This year, for Pink Hammerton, they decided to sell the fruit – and raised £55.

On Saturday October 15, 136 people are attending the now sold-out pink gala dinner, which is being sponsored Vantage Toyota and Ainsty Farm Shop, with the farm shop doing the catering.

The breweries Daleside and Roosters have donated beer, and The Main Furniture Company is donating a piece of furniture to the raffle

Along with the signs in the village being changed, and pink balloons, bunting and ribbons decorating the area, there is a week of activities for people to join in, either buying tickets in advance or paying on the door.

On Saturday, October 8, the fundraising week starts with the Bannatyne’s 3k family fun run and family fun day, from 9.30am to 1.30pm, at Green Hammerton playing fields.

More action takes place on the Sunday with a Zumbathon from 11am-1pm at the village hall. This is followed by a pink cabaret night, with drag queen act “Lily Salvage”, at The Bay Horse in the village.

The pub is also getting into the spirit of the week by having a big pink bow wrapped round it.

Then on Monday October 10, at the village hall Rowan Wools is hosting a “Stitch and Bitch” evening, giving people the chance to have a chat over a glass of wine while they improve their knitting skills or learn new ones.

At the village hall on Tuesday, October 11, it’s Pink Ladies’ night with the film Grease showing.

Fancy dress is optional, with a prize for the best outfit. Wednesday October 12 sees The Bay Horse host its usual quiz night, but this time with a pink theme.

Then on Friday October 14 BBQ, the colour changes slightly for a “Blue Hammerton” night at the social club with BBQ, disco and live music from band The Raisers. “From a personal point of view, it’s my way of saying thank you to everybody who helped,” Liz adds, referring to the support after her diagnosis.

“And also just to celebrate the fact that it is such an amazing village.”

For more information visit the website at www.pinkhammerton.co.uk

GET INVOLVED-WHY NOT GET JOIN IN THE FUN RUN?

There are still places available for the Bannatyne’s 3km Family Fun Run, taking place on Saturday, October 8 at 9.30am on the Green Hammerton Playing Fields.

As well as the fun run there will be plenty of entertainment for all the family to enjoy including craft stalls, face painting, karate demonstrations and a climbing wall.

All the money raised from this and other Pink Hammerton events will be donated to St Michael’s Hospice, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Yorkshire Cancer Centre. Fun runners need to register online.

Official registration forms can be downloaded from www.pinkhammerton.co.uk.