Breast cancer researchers at the University of Aberdeen benefit from charity shop funding.
A group of local entrepreneurs who set up a charity shop in Aberdeen have raised £20,000 for breast cancer research at the University of Aberdeen.
Local charity Bosies, which was established by their main trustee Debbie Hamilton, runs the charity shop in Justice Street, just off the Castlegate in the centre of Aberdeen with the sole purpose of raising money for local breast cancer research. Over two years they have donated £20,000 to the University’s comprehensive research programme.
Debbie established Bosies after witnessing her mother, Maggie, fight and beat the disease almost 20 years ago. They have been raising money ever since in various ways but mainly through the charity shop and are dedicated to helping others affected by the same condition.
Debbie, her mother Maggie and friends Eleanor and Val visited the University’s Foresterhill medical and life sciences campus in April. They were given a tour of the facilities and a presentation about the current breast cancer research being undertaken. They were greeted and thanked by Professor Steve Heys and Professor Peter McCaffery. The group know Professor Heys well and it was he who suggested the visit in recognition of their generous support.
Professor Heys, who is the University’s Chair in Applied Medicine stated “The funds raised by Bosies are vital to our research programme. They are being used to support the ongoing research programme here in the North East of Scotland into breast cancer. The current research projects are investigating how diet and the environment interact to cause breast cancer, why patients respond in different ways to the same treatment, and how we can support patients and their families in a better way through the cancer journey. Every penny raised goes towards this.”
Fundraising income for the University’s breast cancer research is channelled through the University of Aberdeen Development Trust which is a registered charity. The Trust raises essential funds to support much of the University’s activities such as vital medical research as well as supporting students through the provision of scholarships, bursaries and facilities. Funding from alumni, individuals, companies, organisations and the community is essential for the development of cancer research in Aberdeen as well as many other activities.