Host a breast friends barbecue

Action Cancer is calling upon its supporters to combine the lifting of lockdown with fundraising for the charity’s unique breast screening service by hosting ‘Breast Friends BBQs’
Its4women Marketing Manager Kerry Beckett is pictured with Action Cancer’s Community Fundraising Manager, Leigh OsborneIts4women Marketing Manager Kerry Beckett is pictured with Action Cancer’s Community Fundraising Manager, Leigh Osborne
Its4women Marketing Manager Kerry Beckett is pictured with Action Cancer’s Community Fundraising Manager, Leigh Osborne

The charity’s screening service is the UK’s only free breast screening service available to women aged 40-49 and over the age of 70 (the demographic that falls outside of the NHS screening age range). Since reopening in August 2020 following the first national lockdown, the charity has provided over 4500 breast screenings to local women detecting approximately 27 breast cancers.

To support the continuation of the service, the charity is asking people to hold ‘Breast Friends BBQs’ over the summer months, in line with the Northern Ireland Executive’s Covid-19 restrictions.

The campaign, which has been ongoing throughout the pandemic, is empowered by local online car insurance company Its4women, which has generously pledged to match money raised by the general public over three years up to a total value of £90,000.

Since its launch in September 2019, Breast Friends has raised over £99,000 which is enough to provide 1,000 local women with a breast screening appointment.

Action Cancer’s Community Fundraising Manager, Leigh Osborne said: “Pre Covid-19 our Breast Friends campaign appealed to groups of friends to gather together and host ladies’ nights, coffee mornings, fashion shows and other fun events. Since restrictions took effect in March 2020, this hasn’t been possible and Action Cancer’s income has taken a massive hit. As restrictions ease over the summer months, we can all look forward to socialising with friends and family again and a Breast Friends BBQ is the perfect way to do so while raising funds for Action Cancer

For more details or to get an information pack call Leigh Osborne on 07928 668543 or email [email protected]

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