HALE-based deli, Gastronomy, is doing its bit for charity by asking customers to donate £1 in exchange for a bottle of iced tap water.

The voluntary donation is in aid of Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention – and the water has been appropriately nicknamed ‘Genesis Water’.

The scheme was initiated by Gastronomy owner Rebecca Kennington, who has a personal connection with the charity.

She said: “Almost as soon as we were handed the keys for the deli premises, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“Gastronomy is a family business and we were all affected by my illness. We agreed that to ask our customers to pay £1 for a bottle of iced tap water would be a great way to raise money.”

Rebecca worked in the cafe during her treatment and it soon became obvious from her appearance that she was suffering from cancer.

Through chatting to her customers, she realised just how many people in the area had been affected by breast cancer.

Rebecca, who has now made a full recovery, has been holding fundraising events ever since for both Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention and the Christie, where she was treated.

Nikki Hoffman, fundraising manager at Genesis, said: “We’re really pleased that Gastronomy has introduced Genesis Water to its menu. It’s a really simple, yet innovative, idea that will raise much-needed funds for the charity.”