The Pink Week Ball has been cancelled for the second time in a row by organisers, due to a lack of ticket sales, Varsity can reveal.

The Ball was also cancelled just last year due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

The Ball had already been rescheduled from February to the new 7th March date earlier this year because funds from recently secured sponsors were not due to be transferred by the original date.

In a statement seen by Varsity, Lauren Herd, President of Pink Week 2024 expressed her “great shame” over the need to cancel the Ball “due to circumstances outside of our control”.

“I am so very proud of every one of the Ball committee and their hard work towards the event, and commend them for their perseverance even through the tough times.”

“I hope that Pink Week 2024 will be remembered for its many successes, and encourage any individuals who have not donated already to do so via our JustGiving link, as every penny could save a life,” Herd said. 

Adriana Midkiff, Co-President of the Pink Week Ball, described “leading the committee” as a “wonderful experience”.

“The Pink Week Ball will hold a special place in my heart. It allowed me to meet and work with a team of incredibly talented individuals in support of an important cause,” they said.

The Co-President also commended the team behind the Ball, as they “displayed the highest level of professionalism, motivation and drive in regards to laying the foundation for what was set to be an incredible night”.

“I personally commend each and every one of them, and I wish that circumstances were different, so their efforts would have been brought to fruition,” Midriff said. 

The organisers also confirmed that everyone who purchased a ticket will be refunded the full face value. They emphasised vigilant commitment to using sponsorship money to pay for early expenses so that refunds could be managed smoothly and efficiently “in the worst-case scenario”.

“We hope that our efforts in Pink Week as a whole will help support future Pink Weeks and the fight against Breast Cancer," they said. 

Prospective attendees were promised “a starrier night better than ever” and the “best (for quality and relative price) ball this year” on social media.

At £89 a ticket, the ball was set to feature Jack’s Gelato and Cambridge Wine Merchants as well as the indie pop band The Valla for entertainment. All profit was set to be donated to breast cancer charities in the UK.

This comes as Cambridge celebrated its tenth anniversary of Cambridge Pink Week on the 5th - 11th February, supported by the new Pillars of Pink Week, aiming for “bigger, brighter, and bolder”.

A wide range of events such as karaoke, yoga and Barbie screenings took place across the uni and its colleges during the week, which the Ball was set to conclude.