PREVENT Breast Cancer has been chosen as the Local Charity of the Year at Sainsbury’s in Altrincham, having received the most public votes.

The organisation, which is the only charity in the UK that’s entirely dedicated to the prediction and prevention of breast cancer, was crowned the winner out of three shortlisted charities, after votes were cast both in store and online by members of the local community.

Sainsbury’s Local Charity of the Year initiative, which aims to support causes at the heart of communities, has been running since 2009, having raised more than £13 million in total so far. The year-long partnerships include a range of support, such as awareness-raising, fundraising in store, volunteering and donations.

Nikki Barraclough, executive director at Prevent Breast Cancer, which is based at the Nightingale Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital, said: “We’re so happy to have been chosen as the Local Charity of the Year at Sainsbury’s.

"It’s all down to our wonderful supporters so we want to send them a huge thank you. We’re excited to see what the next year brings and look forward to raising awareness and funds by working together with our local store.

“As a charity, we rely solely on donations to fund the groundbreaking research we carry out, so partnerships like this are immensely valuable.”

The collaboration with Prevent Breast Cancer begins in August, kicking off with an awareness stand and bag packing day at the store on August 4. The charity is now looking for volunteers to help pack bags at the tills to help them raise some much-needed funds.

Nikki added: “We truly believe we can achieve a breast cancer-free future, but we need the support of local people and businesses to do so. So, if you can spare a couple of hours to lend a helping hand, we’d love to hear from you.

"You’ll be seeing plenty of us over the next 12 months so it would be lovely to say hello and help prevent breast cancer together.”

Each year in the UK, around 55,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer, equating to one in nine women and one in 1,000 men. Sadly, 21 per cent will lose their battle with the disease.

To take part in the bag pack at Sainsbury’s Altrincham on August 4, email laura@preventbreastcancer.org.uk or call 0161 291 4405.