Falmouth saw 450 women painting the town pink last Friday, donning pink wigs and raising £9,000 for charity.

The pink parade headed from The Moor to Events Square for 70s music and cocktails.

Falmouth Pink Wig Event 2012, which has now returned for its fourth year, raises money for Breast Cancer Campaign and St Michael’s Hospital at Hayle.

The event was founded by Sally Hicks-Wood, who has suffered from breast cancer herself and who now commits herself to fundraising to help battle the disease.

Mrs Hicks-Wood said: “During my chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments I became hugely passionate about raising money for a breast cancer charity, so that in some small way I can give something back to the people who saved my life, and to help future generations.”

“It all started with just a handful of people for a night out before my treatments began. People started to ask me how to donate. It’s just escalated from there really, it’s become so popular.

“On Friday we raised in the region of £9,000 and we’ve still got money coming in.”

Donations on the night were collected by men wearing ‘Save the Boobies’ T-shirts.

Friday’s event preceded the opening of Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week, cementing it as the first charity event to open the regatta.

With a capacity for over 1,000 women to participate, discussions are underway for the event to secure a Saturday night slot at Falmouth Week in 2013.

Mrs Hicks-Wood is now planning events for next year. As well as the Falmouth Pink Wig Event, a black tie ball is anticipated for Easter time. The ball will give the men a chance to take part in the fundraising.

Mrs Hicks-Wood added: “Friday was just a ladies’ night; we decided to keep it separate. We asked around and there was a general feeling that we should keep the night just for women, keeping all the women together.”

A turnout of 450 people marks the greatest number of participators since the charity event began and it is now receiving global interest.

Mrs Hicks-Wood said: “People travelled from all over the country, they’d seen it on the internet or found my website.

“A lady from the United States has now started her own Pink Wig event after seeing my website; another is also going on in New Zealand. We might just go global!”