Charity Prevent Breast Cancer has been presented with a cheque for £13,500, following a fundraiser initiated by one of its patrons, with the help of another of its long-standing ambassadors.
Margo Cornish, Prevent Breast Cancer patron and cancer charity campaigner, recently teamed up with charity ambassador and supporter Diane Williamson, to host a furniture sale, raising an impressive £13,500 for Prevent Breast Cancer at what is a crucial time for fundraising.
The cheque was presented to coincide with the charity’s ‘BooBee bus’ campaign, run in partnership with Stagecoach and Alexander Dennis, to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October).
For two weeks in October, the charity’s specially decorated pink double-decker ‘BooBee bus’ toured various locations across Manchester, providing women information on checking their breasts, symptoms, and encouraging them not to ignore screening invitations.
On 22 October, Margo and Diane presented their cheque at a special event at Gorton Tesco, where the BooBee bus was stationed for the day.
As a long-standing campaigner for cancer charities including Maggie’s Manchester, Teenage Cancer Trust, and Prevent Breast Cancer, Margo’s total fundraising tally is currently just shy of £1million – a milestone she hopes to reach in 2021.
Nikki Barraclough, executive director at Prevent Breast Cancer, said: “The coronavirus crisis has massively impacted our ability to raise funds as a charity. Although many things have slowed down or stopped altogether this year, breast cancer certainly has not – and it is now more important than ever that we continue to fund vital research.
“This is why we are immensely grateful to have the support of people like Margo, who with Diane, came up with a unique way to raise funds for the charity. We were pleased to be able to welcome them both to accept their incredibly generous cheque, which is testament to the lengths they have gone to.”
On its two week tour of the city, which commenced on 12 October, the BooBee bus visited locations including Wythenshawe town centre, Longsight Market, Eastlands, Manchester Fort Retail Park, and of course, Gorton Tesco.
Margo Cornish, who was also instrumental in arranging the bus, said: “As a long-term supporter of cancer charities, it gives me immense pride and pleasure to be able to present this cheque for £13,500.
“I am constantly thinking of ways I can support various cancer charities, and I hope that this money will provide an opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of women across Greater Manchester and beyond.”
Also present at the BooBee bus stands were the team from Answer Cancer, the Greater Manchester Screening and Engagement Programme.
Over the two-week tour period, Answer Cancer believes it issued guidance and screening information to more than 1,000 people across Manchester.
