Yes. The bulk of our fundraising activities take place during October, which is national Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but you can hold your own fundraising activity at any time of year that suits you.

Anywhere you like! You could hold your activity: at work and invite all your colleagues, clients and suppliers; at home and invite your family, friends and neighbours or you could find a venue in the community such as a village hall, church hall, sports centre or gym. Read our fundraising ideas for more information.

• To raise extra money you could ask everyone to donate a particular amount
• You could ask suppliers to donate prizes and then hold a raffle or auction
• Your company may have a matched-giving scheme, where for every pound that staff raise for charity, the company donates the same amount. Ask your manager if your company has such a scheme.
• You could set up an online fundraising page, which makes it even easier for people to support your fundraising and means that you don't have to collect sponsorship money after your event.

Our fundraising pack has more information about how to raise as much money as possible.

We have ribbons, invitations, sponsor forms, banners and balloons. We also have a poster that has a blank section so you can add the details of your activity. You will receive a supply of materials in your fundraising pack. If you need any more, please call us on 08701 60 20 40.

You will receive a sample press release in your fundraising pack. You simply add the details of your activity and then send it to your local papers and radio station. We also have community fundraisers and regional press officers that can help with larger events – contact details will be in your pack.

If you would like to share your experience of breast cancer for publicity purposes, simply get in touch with us. We'd love to hear from you.

You can also visit Cancer Chat, our new online forum, to share your cancer information and experiences with others.

After your fundraising activity, you should make a cheque payable to "Cancer Research UK" and send it to us at:

Cancer Research UK
Unit 7400
The Quorum, Oxford Business Park
Garsington Road
Cowley
Oxford
OX4 2JZ

At Cancer Research UK, we are working tirelessly to find ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. We are one of the few organisations with the ability to take the discoveries we make in the laboratory and turn them into treatments for patients.

Cancer Research UK is almost entirely funded by donations from the public. The money you raise at your event will go towards funding our vital work. Find out more about our research into breast cancer on our main website.

Cancer Research UK is the UK's leading independent funder of research into breast cancer, spending more than £45 million in the last year.

Our work covers all aspects of the disease, from understanding its molecular causes and investigating new ways to prevent and diagnose the disease. We are also developing improved treatments and finding ways to improve the quality of life for women living with breast cancer.

Find out more about our vital work vital work and goals for the future.

Around half of all cancers diagnosed in the UK are linked to lifestyle and could be prevented. Reduce the Risk is Cancer Research UK's campaign to increase awareness of what you can do to reduce your risk of developing cancer.

There are five key messages:

• Stop smoking – it's the best thing you can do to improve your health.
• Stay in shape – be active and keep a healthy body weight.
• Eat and drink healthily – limit alcohol and choose a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables.
• Be SunSmart – protect yourself in the sun and take care not to burn.
• Look after number one – know your body and see your doctor about anything unusual. Go for screening when invited.

Visit our Reduce the Risk website to find out more.

Several factors are known to increase breast cancer risk, of which the most important is age. The older you are, the greater your chances of getting the disease. Family history, the age you start your periods, the number of children you have and the length of time you breastfeed your children affect your risk as well.

But there are also lifestyle factors you can control to reduce your breast cancer risk – particularly your body weight and alcohol intake. Being overweight after the menopause increases a woman's risk of breast cancer. Try to maintain a healthy body weight by combining a balanced, low-fat diet with regular exercise.

Drinking alcohol also increases the risk of breast cancer, so try to limit the amount of alcohol you drink each day.

Research has shown that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can increase the risk of breast cancer, especially if you take it for a long time. The risk gradually decreases when you stop taking it. Taking the contraceptive pill also causes a small increase in risk, which gradually returns to normal after you stop taking it. You should speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about this.

For more information about risk factors for breast cancer, please visit our patient information website, CancerHelp UK

There are hundreds of ways to get involved and raise money for our vital research. Visit our Support Us website to find out more.

If you are interested in volunteering during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please call your local fundraising office on 08701 60 20 40.