Pink Up Your Town for charity

REINSW is urging its members to support the ‘Pink Up Your Town’ initiative to raise money for the McGrath Foundation.

Last year REINSW member Hugh Bateman organised the ‘Pink Up Mudgee’ event during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. A total of 280 businesses and organisations participated and helped raise $140,000. 

This year REINSW is joining in and urging members to turn their town pink with the aim of creating a powerful display of togetherness and support for families experiencing breast cancer.

Agencies are encouraged to join forces to make sure the initiative is supported by as many people as possible. Get on board and engage with your local community for a great cause!

Hugh said: “I would urge every REINSW member to embrace the Pink Up Your Town event and support the McGrath Foundation, which raises money to place specialist McGrath Breast Care Nurses wherever they’re needed, across Australia for free.”

“Everyone knows someone affected by breast cancer. This is a way for REINSW members to come together to raise money for the McGrath Foundation which has an amazing positive impact on both the individual and their families.”

The McGrath Foundation has assisted 54,000 families since 2005 and currently funds 117 McGrath Breast Care Nurses which costs $12 million every year.

However, 79 more McGrath Breast Care Nurses are needed to ensure every family affected by breast cancer can access this specialist support.

Tracy Bevan, McGrath Foundation Ambassador and Founder, said: “Pink Up Your Town is about shining a pink spotlight in the local community to show support for local people currently experiencing breast cancer.

“There are many communities who don’t have access to a breast care nurse and every day 49 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, and 144 men every year.

“We want to help everyone affected and Pink Up Your Town is a way to raise more funds to support our existing nurses, and to ensure more McGrath Breast Care Nurses can be placed in those communities that don’t have access right now. The service is available for free, and without the need for a doctor’s referral. It’s as simple as checking nurse locations on our website.” 

Community grants to help with promotional items may be available from local councils, however applications must be made before 30 June 2017. Find out more here >>> 

How can you get involved?

The McGrath Foundation has produced online resources which members can download here. There will also be the option to purchase a Pink Up Your Town Kit to outfit your town with pink merchandise. 

Other resources include a fundraising checklist and tips, downloadable promotional items, a planning timeline and access to a fundraising coach. There are also editable resources that mean your town’s name can be included on all the collateral, rather than using the generic ‘Pink Up Your Town’ campaign title.

All you then need to do is start a committee to drive activities and reach out to key influencers in your town.

Register your interest by calling Morgan Nowicki, McGrath Foundation Community Fundraiser, on (02) 8962 6117, emailing [email protected] or visiting pinkupyourtown.com.au   

 
Phone a friend

Hugh Bateman, Andrew Palmer and Tony Santolin were involved in pinking up Mudgee and Griffith last year and are happy to offer their help and tips. 

• Hugh on 0418 413 413 or [email protected], 
• Andrew on 0416 153 471 or [email protected],  and 
• Tony on 0407 954 865 or [email protected].