A BASINGSTOKE woman was in the pink after she pulled in the pounds by holding a “Mad Pants Tea Party” for a charity which helps women suffering from endometriosis .

Emily Brown, from Cranbourne, raised over £200 for Endometriosis UK by organising a tea party which saw her friends and family don a pair of pink pants over their clothes.

Endometriosis is a condition where the lining of the womb is found in other parts of the body, but when it breaks down and bleeds, it has no way to leave the body.

As a result, it can cause inflammation and a build up of scar tissue which can result in chronic pain, fatigue, fertility problems and heavy periods.

Currently, there is no known cause and no cure, and on average it takes a woman over seven years to receive a diagnosis.

Emily, 30, was diagnosed with the condition in July and has recently had surgery to remove the endometriosis.

About 30 of her friends and family turned out in support of the tea party, which included a selection of cakes donated by Cookie Creations, in Eastfield Avenue, Basingstoke, and made by Emily’s aunt Christine Matthews, to raise money for the charity.

Emily told The Gazette: “When I was diagnosed with endometriosis in July, I was shocked to discover that one in 10 women in the UK of reproductive age suffers from it.

“I first went to a doctor when I was at university with symptoms of what I now know were probably caused by endometriosis eight years ago. Had I known about the symptoms, maybe I would have been diagnosed sooner and avoided the long, frustrating and painful wait of finding out what was wrong.”

She added: “Rather than sit around feeling sorry for myself, I wanted to do something positive to raise awareness of endometriosis, with the hope of encouraging others to do the same.

“The tea party was a huge success thanks to my friends and family who were so generous.

“I organised it before I got the date for my operation, but rather than cancel, because I’d still be recovering, my sister, Hannah, and my husband, Andy, said they would sort it all out.

“I am so grateful to them, and my aunt who made cakes, along with Cookie Creations which donated cupcakes. The amount raised was far more than I hoped for.”

For more information about endometriosis, visit endometriosis-uk.org.