Monkey's Business

Essex

April 27th

Next Make over is going to be in Essex at Lakeside Shopping Centre. I am going to dedicate it to Jade Goody.

Caroline’s Campaign

Writen by Siane Daley

On 27 April 2009, a glam-squad of professional hairstylists and makeup
artists will descend onto Lakeside shopping centre in Essex, to
showcase their skills by performing very public makeovers on a select
group of women.

Collectively known as ‘Caroline’s Campaign’, this is a makeover
demonstration with a difference. The women have been nominated by
relatives and friends as deserving of the treatment as they fight
their own personal battle with cancer. The makeover day will be held
in memory of reality TV-star, Jade Goody, who recently lost her very
public battle with cancer. to help raise awareness of the disease.

Jade, who had permanent makeup tattooed on by a member of Caroline’s
Campaign, told The Nursing Times shortly before her death, that;
“Getting through cancer is a huge battle. Not only do you have to deal
with the illness and how it makes you feel – you also have to cope
with the physical effects like losing your hair, which is so hard.
That's why Caroline's Campaign is so special. I wish her every success
and fully support her in what she is doing.”

Caroline Monk, founder of Caroline’s campaign in 2007, can fully
empathise with the women that she helps. Caroline herself, was
diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. However, Caroline didn’t even
consider the prospect of losing her life – but she was devastated at
the prospect of losing her hair.
Looking like a ‘bald alien’ she dreaded looking in the mirror after
her hair, eyebrows and eyelashes fell out and she was left feeling
unfeminine and depressed, her body ravaged by chemotherapy.
“Losing your hair is about so much more than personal vanity – it is
how other people perceive and treat you”, Caroline remembers, “When I
was ill, there were days I felt so low because I looked so hideous
that I would have jumped at the chance of being given a makeover” .
Adjusting to changes in appearance can be particularly difficult for
women with cancer. The side-effects of life-saving cancer treatments –
such as chemotherapy – can have a devastating effect on physical
appearance. As well as nausea and fatigue, the side-effects of
chemotherapy include hair loss, skin and nail problems, weight loss
and weight gain.
These symptoms serve as a constant reminder of the disease and can
make coping with the illness very difficult, especially for women.
Caroline explains; ' After writing a column in Closer (magazine) about
my illness I was inundated with letters and emails from cancer
sufferers not worrying about dying but about how they looked. Helping
people with cancer is not just about finding cures and funding
research – it is about caring for the people who go through it.
Chemotherapy can take away all that feels feminine but, if you look
ill, you'll feel ill. If you look fabulous, you'll feel fabulous.'
To date, Caroline’s Campaign has helped nominated women in London,
Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds and Sunderland, who have experienced a
confidence-boosting makeover valued at £1,000. The women are given
their own designer wigs, Toni & Guy style the wigs, manicures, makeup
sessions and even tattooed eyebrows by top makeup artists are all
included.
Cathy Brown make-up artist and trainer at Nouveau Contour permanent
cosmetics, has been involved with Caroline's Campaign since the
outset. She states, “The eyebrows determine your expression, and women
say they feel bare without them”.
Caroline adds, “Every woman without exception who goes through
chemotherapy needs help and advice on wigs, make-up and diet. A
well-cut wig can make such a difference. Having eyelashes and eyebrows
transforms you from looking ill to looking normal. I believe all of
these things aid recovery”.
Caroline’s Campaign has been featured in numerous newspapers and
magazines including; The Daily Mail, Nursing Times, The Sun, Medical
News Today, The Daily Express, The Yorkshire Post and Closer Magazine.
This high press profile is testament to Caroline’s unstinting hard
work and dedication, and is also a natural progression from her former
career as a Music PR with a celebrity client list including: Mike
Oldfield and Elvis Presley.
Caroline Monk now works as the celebrity coordinator at The Variety Club.

Caroline Monk
07946844319
http://www.carolinescampaign.org.uk
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2519461637

London
Great news for my London make over! Not only has Monsoon given the ladies wonderful dresses Double Trouble PR are throwing a party for Caroline's Campagn a THE ENCLAVE, Brewer Street, Soho.
This time I've found my ladies from the Hospital that treated me when I was ill, St. Mary's Paddington. They were so good to me that I wanted to give something back. The most exciting thing for me is so many of the staff are coming to party with me. Even my fabulous surgeon Mr. Dimitri Hadjiminas wahooooo.
So we will start the make over at 1pm at Toni & Guy Regent Street. The ladies will be treated to a new wig from Trendco, two great T&G stylists will then cut and style them, they will have a manicure, their make up done and have eyebrows and eyelashes if they need them.
After I dress them in their fab Monsoon dresses they will be wisked away in a pink Hummer with champas and taken for a drive round the city. We will then arrive at The Encave around 6.30pm to unveil their lovely new look to all their family and friends as well as guests and press.
Then it's party, party party...

Sunderland
The Sunderland make over was a huge success and I want to thank everyone involved in making it the best yet. It's been very tough for me lately as I have run out of my savings and haven't found a sponsor yet to pay for these make overs. Every time I feel like giving up I think of all the wonderful people who have helped to make Caroline's Campaign the success it is. To all my team that give up their time, to the press, tv and radio who are very much behind me, to the local business's who offer their restaurants and give so many wonderful extras to my ladies and most of all the the wonderful people who nominate their loved ones... xxxx

Manchester
Manchester was a tough one, press wise. I wanted to get people to nominate their loved ones, who are going through cancer in a big Manchester paper. It didn't happen but Manchester Evening News did sent a photographer to the actual event. I was told they would call later and get all the ladies stories and promote my campaign so fingers crossed they do.
So I had to find four ladies myself. The easiest way was to go to the main hospital there which was Christies. I got in touch with a lady who said of course she will help me. She said it was easy to find some ladies that are going through chemotherapy as they have a massive suit there. Can't be bothered to go into it now but four weeks later and a week to go untill my make over and nothing. So, if you were at Christies and would have loved a make over then I'm so sorry because of inofficiant people. So with the make over looming and myself getting stressed and crying most of the day I find my saviour.
I called We are Macmillan Cancer Support in Manchester and within an hour they found two wonderful ladies for me. So thank you so much Judy.
The other two were nominated through facebook and Hudson's wigs.
So with a few days to go I got my ladies. Phew!!!!By this time I had missed the chance of getting them some clothes but luckily my mate Nikki had organised Caroline Campiagn T-shirts which looked fab. Trevor Sharpe at Toni&Guy and Catherine cut the wigs and made the women look so hip and trendy. My team got to work on make up, eye brow tattooing and nails and the end result was incredible. It wasn't just how beautiful the women looked but how happy they were. We all ended up in the living rooms celebrating a great and successful day.
Photos of the day are up on the gallery.

I thought it would be easy after the wonderful success of the Leeds make over but the Manchester event is proving to be a nightmare. Sadly I haven't been able to get the nominations through a paper so I am looking for four ladies who are going through chemotherapy. I have enlisted Christies Hospital and Hudsons wigs, so fingers crossed we will have them soon. I have been interviewed on BBC Radio Manchester and will also be on Channel M on the morning of the 15th.
I was nominated for The Yorkshire Women of Achievement Award and went to the event on the 27th June in Leeds. I was so blown away that someone had nominated me. Whoever you were/are thank you so much! I took my Mum and she was very proud of me. I was a little embarrassed as I felt I didn't deserve to be with so many worthy people. I didn't win but it really has made me even more determined to make my campaign the best it can be.

Leeds
The Leeds Make over was a total and fantastic success. I can't thank all the people involved enough. You can see the video on my news page. So here we go again. I will be holding a make over class in Manchester on 15th July at Toni&Guy Deansgate. If you know anyone in that area who you think deserves a fab make over please get in touch. I'm so excited to be working with all my team again. Bring it on.
April 2008
This has been the best month so far. Everything has finally come together. I am popping to Leeds on the 16th April to have meetings with everyone involved. The newest member of my Leeds team is Trendswigs & hairpieces www.webwigs.co.uk (Leeds) who is kindly supplying the wigs for my four Ladies. Sam Pearce of Eastthorpe Hall in Mirfield, West Yorkshire has amazingly donated a lovely day at their spa for the ladies. Each lady will receive one of their signature packages which is their award winning Indian Head Massage with a fabulous facial and organic lunch (which is all organic made to order) and complementary glass of pink champagne each. How great is that! www.eastthorpe.co.uk.
On the day TONI&GUY will be styling the wigs and will be letting my team use their salons for the make over www.toniandguy.com, the wigs are all being donated by Trends wigs in Leeds www.webwigs.co.uk, Planet are giving all the ladies an outfit of their choice with accessories www.planet.co.uk, Eastthorpe Hall have given the ladies a lovely day at the spa with treatments, lunch and pink champas www.eastthorpe.co.uk, Karen Betts will be making the ladies look fab by using permanent makeup for the eyebrows www.karenbetts.co.uk, and The Leeds Marriott Hotel have kindly let me have a room for all the ladies family and friends and press with beverages www.leedsmarriott.co.uk. I will be videoing the event and will have lots of photos to put up on my website. Wish me luck!
Will be back soon with more updates...

Hi there sorry I've not written sooner. I've been waiting back for dates and to confirm who's on board the Monkey train. I'm very happy to say TONY&GUY salons are generously letting Caroline's Campaign use their shops to hold the master-classes. First stop on the tour is Leeds. I moved to Wakefield when I was ten years old and my family still live there, so I know the Leeds very well. So far everyone has been brilliant.
Thanks to The Yorkshire Post for backing me and for writing a nice piece.
Thanks to Radio Leeds for plugging my campaign and letting myself and the four lucky Ladies come on the show when we've finished making them look fab!
Thanks to the Marriott Hotel have offered a room where we can let the press and hopefully TV set up interviews.
I will of course add all the other wonderful people that are helping me do this lovely campaign xxx

It’s been a funny old month. I’ve had more ups and downs than a yoyo. I’m hoping to start the makeover tour in March. I’ve just got a few lose ends to tie up and then there will be no stopping me.
The bad news is my money has all but run out so am desperately looking for sponsors to help fund my classes. So if you know anyone or would like to sponsor me, please get in touch. I would and so would lots of ladies out there, be truly thankful.
We have a great company called Nouveau Contour involved on the tour www.nouveaucontour.co.uk. I met Cathy Brown at the Birmingham master class as she is a permanent make up artist who works with Nouveau. What she achieved on that day was amazing.
Some of the ladies had their eyebrows tattooed on as you lose most of your hair from going through chemotherapy and my God what a transformation. You don’t realize how important they are as they really frame your face. Once the ladies had them back they felt normal again and their confidence was lifted 100%. I’m so happy that Cathy and other artists like her will give up their time to show how remarkable their work is. Cathy also works with scar camouflage and areola reconstruction.
I’ve kept in touch with the ladies from Birmingham and am following their progress.

Birmingham
Birmingham Master-class
What a fantastic day. The Women we picked were so amazing. It must have been a very tiring day what with facials, make up, eyebrow tattooing, wig cutting etc plus all the press they had to do. But they were full of life at the end of it and looked so beautiful.
The day started off with each lady having a facial. I felt for them as they had to go through most of the day without makeup. They were very brave though and still looked good. Once they had their eyebrows tattooed, the change in them was amazing. It really does make a difference as it shapes your face. You don’t realise what it feels like to lose your eyebrows or your eyelashes. It makes you look ill even if you don’t feel ill and can bring you down.
After professional make up and with their newly cut wigs they all looked like film stars.
I hope to carry on with my Master classes all round the UK next year. It really can change your whole outlook whilst going through chemotherapy and I would like to help as many Women as I can.
If you want to write to me and tell me of your experiences please do at monkey@carolinescampaign.com
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Lots of love Caroline xxxx

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Well what a busy bloody month this has been.
Got some fab news…I had a meeting with a very famous hairdressing chain and they really want to come on board. This could be the answer to all my prayers. I will start off with a major launch in London next year and if they like what they see they will help me go all over the UK! Also I’ve had some interest from wig companies willing to donate wigs for my makeovers yippee and to maybe sponsor me, which would be great.
I am going to Birmingham on 4th December to meet the ladies who were nominated for the Master-class. I had to read through lots of beautiful letters from families and friends. It was extremely hard to pick five as every one of them deserved a make-over.
The actual even is on the 10th Dec and I can’t wait. We have lots of press coverage and we will be videoing it, so I’ll put it up on here for you to see.
I would love to hear of your experiences with Cancer, whether it being you or someone dear to you. I found it very therapeutic writing about my journey and I hope you will too.
Also I’m not working at Closer magazine anymore so if you have any questions to ask me then please write to monkey@carolinescampaign.co.uk
Thanks again for taking the time to read this.
Lots of love Caroline xxxx

Hello and welcome to my diary. Well its Breast Cancer month and this is my busiest month of the year. My hair goes pink and I try to attend as many Cancer charity events as I can. I was at the In The Pink party not long ago at The CC club in London. I was their cover girl back in 2005 when I was going through my treatment. I never thought I’d ever be a cover girl so I have Breast Cancer to thank for that.
The charity is called Pink Ribbon foundation and I am their patron. Every year I do an update on how my life is now, for the magazine. The magazine and the charity have been a very big influence in my life and have encouraged me to do what I’m doing now. So if you see it please buy the mag cos it’s a brilliant read.
It was also my Birthday on the 10th October. I had a great time. I didn’t go too wild, as I do that all year. I went to Yorkshire to spend it with my Parents, Sister and Husband. I feel very close to my family now and try to see them as much as possible. Mum is doing great and we don’t even mention Cancer anymore. That’s soooo last year ha.
I also was involved with Stars behind bars, which raises money for The Sick Children’s Trust. I had to serve behind a bar in Soho with Charley from Big Brother and Bianca Gasgoine. It was such a laugh. We raised thousands but did have a few cheeky drinks when no-one was looking.

This week I was at The Plaza in Oxford Street, London, to raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer Campaign. They raise money for research and to find a cure. That sounds good to me!
I turned up in a pink 50’s dress on my pink scooter and had a lot of fun. People are so generous and nice and I thank all of you who managed to come.
The best news is, I will be organising a make-over class in Birmingham on the 10th Dec. I will keep you up to date on all that’s happening in the following weeks.
Bye for now and thanks so much for visiting my site,
Monkey x