We’re tickled pink!

LINK4PINK appeal members who helped raise £160,000 for the extension. Back (from left) Denise Bodgers, Tony Scott (site foreman), Liz Norbury, Elaine Norcross, Lorraine Lawton, Jan Bolton (fundraising manager PAHC), Alan Bottomley. Front, Gary Subahus (contracts manager Projects Ltd) and Rita Bottomley (Link4Pink chairman). Not on photograph, Janet Darnborough, Margaret Coleman (secretary).

THE two-and-a-half-year dedication and commitment of a handful of women is about to bring an end to cramped conditions at Oldham’s Victoria Breast Care Unit

Builders have now laid the last stone on a bright and airy £160,000 extension, which will open as soon as the finishing touches are complete. And the women who helped to make it happen gathered to hand over a cheque to pay the bill.

The Link4Pink appeal was launched in June, 2008, by consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon Maria Bramley, who wanted to make anxious patients as comfortable as possible.

The original aim was for a £60,000 conservatory, but its success changed the goalposts, and ambitious plans for an extension were drawn up.

The Link4Pink fundraising committee, eight women under the chairmanship of Rita Bottomley, took on the enormous task of raising an extra £100,000 to make it happen.

A delighted Rita said: “I just want to say a massive big thank-you to everyone who has supported us.”

Rita paid tribute to a dear friend, Maureen Nicholls, who was instrumental in her getting involved with Link4Pink.

She said: “She was a very lovely friend and died from breast cancer in Christmas week. She would have been very proud today.”

An official opening is being planned for spring.

There will also be an open day over the next few weeks for everyone who has supported the appeal.

Jan Bolton, fundraising manager for Pennine Acute Hospital Charity, sent out a big thank-you to the Link4Pink committee.

She said: “I would like to thank all the ladies for staying with the appeal, and to everyone in the community who have helped.”