Nine PIP victims gathered together this month to face an “I’m a celebrity” style challenge to raise funds for surgery to remove defective PIP breast implants!
The group, who have united together and call themselves The PIP Team, have decided that instead of burdening the NHS with their removal and replacement surgery, they will fund raise the money themselves by facing their fears.
The event, hosted and funded by Antonia Mariconda, is one of many in which she is assisting women to creatively raise funds and help themselves.
Resurge founder and author of the book ‘PIP Implants and Breast Surgery’, Antonia Mariconda said, “The ladies approached me and asked if we could support them in helping them raise funds for themselves, so we have devised something a little off the wall and wacky.
“The event was a great success I am very proud to have helped this group of ladies and I hope to be able to help on a larger scale with my next fundraising event.”
Two of the ladies that took part on the day, Carol and Katrina, say they have formed a close friendship and it is through this support that they hope to help others.
“It’s not just about paying for my surgery; I’m hoping to help pay half the cost for other girls. I want to help others,” says Carol.
Carol’s original surgeon has been struck off but fortunately a family member has funded her replacement surgery elsewhere.
Katrina, who is also raising money for their group, says: “I couldn’t believe that after suffering with my implants for so long I still had so many hurdles to get over to get them removed. I’m lucky that my mum has come to the rescue, but there are other ladies who don’t have family to support them.”
Two of the team have ruptured implants and are desperate to book a slot on the waiting list, but with surgeons charging as much as £4,000 for the operation, the ladies are facing their phobias to raise the cash.
The quirky fund raising event saw PIP ladies face a real series of gruelling challenges ranging from bush tucker trials with Wichita grubs, to handling creepy tarantulas and slithering snakes.
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