Why a market town has been festooned with bras

'Pink Bawtry' is raising money for breast cancer research

A market town has been strung with bras donated by women wanting to raise awareness of breast cancer.

Businesses in Bawtry, near Doncaster, have also decorated their premises in pink as part of the fundraiser for Cancer Research UK during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Sarah Robinson, who runs events company Sisi, campaigns for charity in memory of a close friend who was in her 40s when she died of the disease. This is the first year she has partnered with the Bawtry Retail Association to run Pink Bawtry.

She said: "It just raises that awareness to another level, and it gets the community involved as well."

Bras outside The Crown Hotel in Bawtry

Speaking about the death of her friend Sharon Woodcock in 2020, Ms Robinson said: "Until you're hit with that in your friendship circle, you never really question your own health.

"It really shocked me that she was so young."

Sarah Robinson (r) with her friend, Sharon Woodcock, who died of breast cancer

In 2018 Ms Robinson started holding a fundraiser called Bring Your Breastie, which encouraged women to check their breasts.

"I had no idea when my friend got diagnosed how to check myself," she said.

"So, the idea for me is to bang on about it."

Bras outside a Chinese restaurant

The Bawtry Retail Association - which fittingly uses the acronym BRA - said a fundraising target of £10,000 had been set.

Bra bins have been provided for people to donate old lingerie, and footballers from the Doncaster Belles women's team helped to tie them to railings outside The Crown Hotel and the China Rose restaurant.

Vice chair Sarah White said: "It's so humbling to see our businesses come together.

"We hope that members of our community will support us to help raise vital funds and encourage people to be breast aware."

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