Wirral Life January 2017 | Page 10

THE INTERVIEW NICOLA GLEAVE TALKS TO LYNNE HAGUE Wirral Life’s Lynne Hague talks to Nicola Gleave, a successful local businesswoman, on her fight against cancer, inspirational attitude to life and her new fundraising initiative, Worn by Us. Tell us about yourself... I’m 44, married to Andy and we have two children - Jack aged 13 and Sophie aged 8. I was born in Liverpool and moved to the Wirral almost 19 years ago when I got married. I’m a very determined person and a bit of a workaholic. I become very passionate about anything I get involved in and throw myself in 200%. Over the past few months you have been busy promoting awareness of Worn By Us.com – your fund raising initiative for cancer charities. As this is such a personal issue for you, has this been received in the way you had hoped? Oh my gosh it has been unbelievable. It started as an idea to raise awareness and give back after I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, and it has really evolved - and we can now support any charity of your choice. I’m overwhelmed by the interest and 10 wirrallife.com support I’ve received by so many people. Everyone who hears about it, thinks it’s a brilliant idea. I am now being contacted by people who have heard about me, and also introduced to so many amazing people and organisations who want to support, ranging from people who have read my story and want to donate clothes and items from their wardrobes, fashion designers and boutiques donating items, to celebrity stylists introducing me to their clients. There are just too many people to mention them all, but there is a Wirral woman Claire Whittle who owns a beauty salon in Liverpool ‘CJ in the City’. Claire has donated many fabulous and expensive items of clothing most of which have never been worn, as she wants to support Clatterbridge Cancer Charity. We’ve received items from many celebrities too including Coleen Rooney, Jacqueline Gold, Lorraine Kelly, Mel C, Katie Piper, Peter Andre and many others. That is the most amazing thing about what I have created – people are able to provide constant support and funds for their favourite charity without having to part with any cash at all. All they are doing is handing over clothes and other items which are taking up space in their wardrobes which they no longer want, and we do the rest to raise money for their charity – it’s really simple and effective. I also have to mention Nick Ede who has been an amazing support. Nick is a well known philanthropist, PR personality, and brand