Debenhams gear up to boost charity partnership

Press release For immediate release: 29 September 2009 Press contact: Katie Power, 020 7749 3720 kpower@breastcancercampaign.org Debenhams gear up to boost charity partnership With Breast Cancer Awareness Month fast approaching, staff at Debenhams are busy making plans to ensure this October raises more money than ever before for long-standing charity partner Breast Cancer Campaign. This October the high-street retailer is aiming to set a new record by raising a total of £2 million over nine years to help Breast Cancer Campaign beat breast cancer. For the first time, Debenhams will also be the official wear it pink t-shirt supplier for the charity to support its flagship fundraising event. Seven wear it pink t-shirts will be available (priced from £10 - £35, 30 per cent donation), thanks to Designers at Debenhams including Betty Jackson, Jasper Conran, Julian Macdonald, John Rocha and Matthew Williamson. A range of other products will also be on sale throughout October in support of Campaign, ranging from lingerie to iPod covers and accessories. Debenhams has supported Campaign since 2001, raising over £1.9 million nationwide to date through the sales of in-store products, pink ribbon badges and staff fundraising. This year, to coincide with the launch of Debenhams new Sports and Leisure department, staff will be aiming to increase their fundraising total by taking part in a ‘cycle to the moon’ event where they will take turns to cycle the distance to the moon on a stationary bike in store windows. Stores in the Republic of Ireland will also be taking part in the campaign for the first time to help raise money for the charity’s work in Ireland. Liz Monks, Breast Cancer Campaign’s Director of Fundraising, said “We’re really excited about this year’s activity with Debenhams and we’re delighted that they will be the official t-shirt supplier for wear it pink. The partnership with Debenhams is incredibly important to us as not only does it raise much needed funds for breast cancer research, but it also helps to raise awareness of breast cancer to our supporters and Debenhams staff and customers alike. We’re encouraging everyone in the UK to head down to their local Debenhams this October to help us reach the £2 million target and get a step closer to beating breast cancer.” Michael Sharp, Debenhams’ Deputy Chief Executive, said “We’re delighted to support Breast Cancer Campaign for the ninth year running. Our joint campaign goes from strength to strength and as well as all our in store fundraising activity, this year, we are proud to the supply the official wear it pink t-shirts. With designs from Jasper Conran, Betty Jackson, Matthew Wiliamson, John Rocha and Julien Macdonald, we are determined to exceed our £2 million target and help Breast Cancer Campaign continue their vital work.” For more information about Breast Cancer Campaign’s partnership with Debenhams and the various products on sale, please call 020 7749 3700 or visit www.breastcancercampaign.org ENDS Picture caption: wear it pink t-shirt designed by Betty Jackson, priced £22 (30 per cent donation to Breast Cancer Campaign) Notes to editors • Breast Cancer Campaign aims to beat breast cancer by funding innovative world-class research to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure • Currently it supports 101 research projects, worth over £14.1 million, in 41 centres of excellence across the UK and Ireland • Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and accounts for nearly one in three of all cancers in women • In the UK, nearly 46,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year - that’s 125 a day • Visit www.breastcancercampaign.org • Read Chief Executive Pamela Goldberg’s blog http://pamelagoldbergblog.blogspot.com/

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