A shopping centre was turned pink to combat breast cancer.
Store staff and shoppers joined forces at Eagles Meadow in Wrexham which was decked out with pink balloons and posters to collect money for the Wear it Pink breast cancer charity.
Around 20 of the centre’s businesses took part and among them was the Odeon Cinema where manager Andy Elvis revealed how breast cancer had touched his own life.
Andy said: “Breast cancer is something which is very close to my heart as my own Mum, Jackie Johnson, who is now 62, is a survivor of the disease.
“She was diagnosed with cancer in one of her breasts after finding a lump 15 years ago.
“Thankfully, she caught it early, which is essential. She had some marvellous treatment at her local hospital in Hull where she lives and I am originally from.
“She didn’t need surgery and after a course of chemotherapy she was given the all-clear about 12 years ago.
“She has to go back for regular check-ups but, fingers crossed, the cancer hasn’t returned.
“I remember it was a very worrying time for her and all the family but it just shows that with early diagnosis and treatment breast cancer can be beaten.”
Andy added: “When we heard about the Wear it Pink day I just knew we had to get involved, because of my own personal experience of breast cancer and the absolute importance of being aware of the disease and its early treatment.
“We’ve done special fundraising days for quite a few charities over the years but this is the first time we’ve gone pink for breast cancer.
“All 16 of our staff took part during the day and, although most of them are guys, they really entered into the spirit of things by wearing pink outfits and promoting the collection for the charity, which does such an amazing job for cancer patients and their families.”
Also passionate about going pink at Eagles Meadow was Katie Hughes, 24-year-old manager of Gozo Men’s hair salon, which now also offers ladies’ hairstyling.
Katie said: “Throughout the day on Friday all four of our stylists were wearing pink and making a collection for the Breast Cancer Campaign.
“I very much wanted us to get involved in Wear it Pink because I know quite a few people who have had breast cancer.
“The closest of them to me was my fiance’s Nan, Sandra Giles, who lives in Liverpool. She was diagnosed with breast cancer quite recently but is thankfully now recovering after having treatment.
“She found out she had it early on and was able to get treatment right away. That shows awareness of the disease is vital and why the work that the Breast Cancer Campaign does is so important. We were delighted to do all we could to help.”
Right across Eagles Meadow it was the same story, and another group of staff doing their bit to help were the girls in the make-up department at Debenhams.
One of their managers, 23-year-old Rachel Ward, said: “Our staff were wearing pink throughout the day and making a collection on behalf of the Breast Cancer Campaign, which is such a worthwhile cause.
“On Saturday we continued with the campaign by offering make-overs to our customers in return for a £2 donation to the charity.”
Also tucking enthusiastically into the pink campaign were staff at Frankie and Benny’s restaurant in Eagles Meadow.
All wearing something pink – including the guys on the team – they started off the day by holding a charity breakfast from which the proceeds of every meal they served went to the Breast Cancer Campaign and their own charity, Hope House Hospice.
Deputy manager Laura Clark said: “We raised about £150 for each charity from the breakfasts and then went on to support the breast cancer charity for the rest by doing a collection and holding a raffle in which the prize was a £50 Frankie and Benny’s voucher.
“Apart from that, all our 10 staff made donations to dress up in pink and we also sold pink balloons to customers for £2 each.
“This is definitely a worthwhile charity to support as everyone these days seems to know someone who has had breast cancer.”
Another store in the centre pulling out all the stops to help the cause was Poundworld where manager Own Reynolds said: “All our staff on various shifts throughout the day were wearing pink and having a great time. We also had collection boxes out on the tills, which brought in quite a healthy number of donations.
“We were very happy to get involved in a special effort for such a marvellous charity.”
Centre manager Kevin Critchley said: “I think it’s very important that we support charities involved in health issues such as this.
“Breast cancer affects so many people that I believe it is absolutely vital that we do all we can to help raise awareness of it and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.”
In the last 10 years since it began, more than £23 million has been raised by Wear it Pink to fund breast cancer research, with £2.1 million being donated last year alone.
