Local school hoping to make a splash at charity awards

Press release For immediate release: xx May 2010 Press contact: Claire Learner, 020 7749 3705 clearner@breastcancercampaign.org Local school hoping to make a splash at charity awards A local school has been nominated for Breast Cancer Campaign’s ‘School of the Year’ award after raising more than £6,500 to help the charity continue funding vital breast cancer research. Pupils from Nursery age to Year 6 at Oakwood School were challenged to swim as many lengths or widths for the younger ones, as possible within their swimming lesson over a week. They embraced the challenge and exceeded all expectations covering a total distance of more than 80 miles, giving up their spare time to complete the challenge. 35 of the children and adults swam a mile – an exhausting 109 lengths! Sarah Mayhead from Oakwood School said, “I am so proud that Oakwood School has been nominated for Breast Cancer Campaign’s ‘School of the Year’ award. The children who took part were amazing and really rose to the challenge, even persuading some of the parents and many of the staff to join in. We are delighted to be able to support this charity which funds life-changing research and raises awareness about breast cancer.” Pamela Goldberg, Breast Cancer Campaign’s Chief Executive said, “Our awards ceremony publicly recognises the amazing achievements and contributions by our fundraisers and supporters over the last 12 months towards Breast Cancer Campaign’s research. Their support is essential to helping us achieve our mission of beating the disease and I wish the pupils of Oakwood School and everyone else who has been nominated the best of luck.” Oakwood School will find out if it has won at Breast Cancer Campaign’s awards ceremony on 17 June 2010 at the House of Lords. If you want to be in the running for next year’s award, then contact the charity to find out how you can help beat breast cancer. Call 020 7749 3700 or email info@breastcancercampaign.org ENDS Notes to editors Photographs available on request • 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 117 research projects, worth £17 million, in 44 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/ • Breast Cancer Campaign is campaigning for all candidates standing for election to Westminster to sign up to the breast cancer research pledge: www.breastcancercampaign.org/election