A group of fundraisers from across the Manchester and Cheshire regions have donated £170,000 to the charity Prevent Breast Cancer, as they were invited to look behind the scenes at the construction of a new building their donation will help fund.
The BooBees – a group of women touched by breast cancer and led by champion fundraiser Margo Cornish MBE – raised the money through a series of fundraising events in the last 12 months, during which time many were undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
Events included a sell out bingo event under Concorde and a lingerie fashion show, which saw the women take to the runway to showcase lingerie designs and celebrate their body confidence following cancer treatment.
They were joined by Coronation Street star and long-time patron of the charity, Sally Dynevor, as they took a look at the new National Breast Imaging Academy being built at Wythenshawe Hospital. This purpose built building will house a training unit capable of training 50 new breast imaging specialists a year, with up to 13,000 local women being seen there for breast screening annually.
Margo created the BooBees campaign to raise vital funds and help raise awareness of breast cancer signs and symptoms. She commented: “The BooBees fundraising campaign has been a runaway success and I am thrilled to be handing this money over to Prevent Breast Cancer to help fund the final few bricks in the wall for the new Academy.
“When I laid out the plan for the BooBees fundraising at the start of 2024, I thought we might just about be able to raise £100,000, so I am completely thrilled to be able to say that we’ve smashed through that target by over £70,000! My sincere thanks go to everyone who was part of our fundraising efforts, who sponsored us and who gave us their support,” she added.
The BooBees campaign saw a group of 70 women come together in groups of 10 – forming fundraising hives each aiming to raise £10,000. Over the last 12 months they have completed fundraising challenges and events ranging from cold water dips to charity quiz nights to raise the money.
Coronation Street star Sally Dynevor said: “It’s been a privilege to spend time with this amazing group of women and find out more about their incredible fundraising efforts! Every penny being raised for Prevent Breast Cancer is going towards finishing this remarkable building, which will train the breast imaging specialists of tomorrow and who will go on to save countless lives through their skill.”
Work began on the Academy in December 2024 and the building is expected to be open later this year. It will train new breast imaging specialists including apprentices, mammographers, radiologists and radiographers to go on to work all over the country – helping to alleviate pressures around workforce numbers in the NHS. Located at Wythenshawe Hospital, it is adjacent to the existing Nightingale Centre where many Manchester breast services are delivered, and where Prevent Breast Cancer is based.
Prevent Breast Cancer’s chief executive, Nikki Barraclough, added: “The National Breast Imaging Academy will be a jewel in the crown for breast imaging in the UK, with the staff it trains going on to work all over the country saving lives by providing mammograms. It’s thanks to the generosity of fundraisers like the BooBees that we’ve been able to make the Academy a reality, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has donated to their campaign.”
