When a group of expat residents decided to establish Mimosa Matters to help fight cancer on the Cote d’Azur, little did they realise just how dramatic an impact their association would have.

Four years on, Mimosa has raised in excess of €140,000 through their events – two charity balls in Mougins, a cocktail party on the beach in Cannes and two Nice Marathon teams, the last of which numbered over 170 runners in the 2016 race and ended in a street party outside Ma Nolan’s with legendary local rock band Blah Blah.

This year’s gala Mimosa Ball at Royal Mougins Golf Club, on Saturday May 13th, looks set to be the largest and most successful to-date. Sponsored by Yachting Partners International, one of the world’s leading yacht brokerage houses for almost five decades, the Black Tie event will kick off with champagne and cocktails on the terrace, followed by a three-course dinner, a raffle, an auction and silent auction, and dancing.

“We are delighted to announce the Mimosa Ball 2017 in association with Yachting Partners International,” said Mimosa committee member Ellie Goblet d’Alviella. “We are thrilled that YPI has come onboard to support us and further the fight against cancer. It’s wonderful to have the partnership of such a well respected company here on the Riviera.”

For the first time, funds raised will be split between Mimosa’s regular partner La Ligue Contre le Cancer and Cancer Support Group 06, which has become something of a lifeline since its inception in 2009 by a group of cancer patients, psychologists and an oncology nurse who recognised the need for support for the English-speaking community on the Riviera.

“The work CSG06 does is on the front line of cancer care in the community,” says Ellie, whose younger brother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. “They visit very sick people in hospital, help with legalities, attend hospital appointments in order to act as translators and also run meditation classes at Sunny Bank retirement home. They are carrying out challenging and amazing work and we want to help them continue that work.”

Mimosa’s fundraising prowess has already impacted on the Alpes Maritimes: the association is a principal financial sponsor behind the new Espace Ligue drop-in centre now open in Antibes.

One of several Espace Ligues nationwide, it offers cancer patients and their families a safe haven for counselling and alternative therapies to help alleviate the debilitating effects of treatment, as well as dietary and beauty advice. Over 500 appointments have taken place there since its October 2015 opening, with around 57 patients seen on a regular basis.

Mimosa funds have also been donated to the Paediatric Oncology Unit at L’Archet Hospital in Nice to provide entertainment for young patients on the ward during the summer months, and a few brave youngsters were overjoyed to get the chance to visit Disneyland Paris with their families as part of the initiative.

“Mimosa is all about community,” adds Ellie, who works alongside Gemma Bishop, Sophie James, Marilen Kenington, Camilla Trevelyan-Daley, Sara Parks, Juliette Clarkin and Ruth Jiggins. The women are truly representative of the expat community here, hailing from the UK, Sweden, Ireland, Romania and France.

“We all live here and have all in some way been touched by cancer,” continues Ellie. “We wanted to give back to the community that has embraced us and we are gradually becoming known by the French community too.”

The ball will feature an auction hosted by Lucy Crapper, a second generation auctioneer who has presided over a number of charity sales close to her heart which have raised over £900,000.

An impressive array of lots donated by local businesses across the region include a luxury trip to Bali with flights provided by Rinck Travel, five star accommodation at the island’s spectacular Hotel Tugu in Canggu and a villa at the Pramana Experience resort in Ubud, a chef’s table right on the pass watching Michelin-starred chef David Chauvac in action at le Mas Candille, a four ball at the prestigious Vidauban golf course, and a private three-course dinner at home cooked by Rachel Westerlund, who trained with Alain Ducasse, with wine and food provided by Emporium du Vin and Ocean’s Pantry.

Guests will also have a chance to bid for a wellness day for eight at Abi’s retreat in Mougins, including delicious food by Sparks Cuisine, meditation by Noona at Revitalise, a nutritional talk by Christine Kjeldbjerg at CK-Health, and treatments from Claire Calloway at Skincare Serenity. If live radio is your thing, you can opt to spend an hour on air in the Riviera Radio studio with Dusty Rhodes.

Silent auction and raffle prizes include lunch for two at La Tonnelle on Ile Saint-Honorat complete with a tasting of wines made by the monks at the monastery, a beach day and lunch for two at the Grand Hotel Cap-Ferrat’s exclusive Club Dauphin, a boat charter, a private yoga class at your home with Scaravelli-inspired instructor Faye Villalba, a massage with Kate Threadgold, and a signed author copy of the latest release The Boy in 7 Billion.

All the tables of 12 are now sold out but there is a waiting list for single tickets. For further information or to donate to the auction, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or consult www.mimosamatters.org