HALE will be transformed into a sea of pink as a charity marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month and boosts awareness of the need to prevent the disease.

Prevent Breast Cancer, which is the UK’s only charity entirely dedicated to the prediction and prevention of breast cancer, is running its annual Paint Towns Pink campaign, and businesses in Hale are pledging their support to Paint Hale Pink (October 12 to 17).

The initiative, which raised a total of £30,000 across six towns last year, sees a series of fundraising events taking place in each town throughout October to raise cash and introduce people to the vital work the charity does.

Based at the Nightingale Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital, Prevent Breast Cancer leads research into four key areas: genes, early detection and screening, preventative drugs, and diet and lifestyle.

Nikki Barraclough, executive director at Prevent Breast Cancer, said: “Working with communities and local businesses is at the core of what we do and we’re passionate about finding new ways to raise awareness and get people excited about the charity.

“Currently, just three per cent of breast cancer research funding is spent on prediction and prevention in the UK – this is simply not enough and the research our team of experts carry out is essential if we are to protect future generations from the disease.

“To do this, we need the support of local people and businesses, so campaigns like Paint Hale Pink are vital.”

Among those businesses taking part this year are See-Saw, The Garden, Peppermint Soda, Pixie, The Body Clinic, Marks and Spencer, Victors, Carluccios, Yogberries and Jackson Stops. Hale Business Association is also supervising the rapidly growing activity calendar.

For more information about individual events or to get your business involved, visit: www.preventbreastcancer.org.uk.

Nikki added: “Since its inception three years ago, Paint Towns Pink has taken on a life of its own and communities have really taken it to their hearts and made it a key date in their calendars.

“It’s fantastic to see so many businesses in Hale getting involved and wanting to make a difference – we’d like to say a huge thank you to all those signed up and here’s to topping last year’s fundraising total!”