Mainstay DRP brings splash of colour to remember late mum

Mainstay DRP brings splash of colour to remember late mum

1 November 2023

DOWNPATRICK-BASED charity Mainstay DRP has donated over £500 to Asda’s Tickled Pink campaign in memory of much loved former colleague Geraldine Ghosh.

The highly acclaimed charity’s service users took part in a colour run to raise over £500 in Geraldine’s memory. She sadly passes away from cancer in 2013.

The Asda campaign funds world class research, life-changing support and vital breast awareness information to help change the future of breast cancer in the UK.

Geraldine’s son Adrian is a service manager at Mainstay which provides a range of high-quality services which are safe, effective and compassionate for people with learning disabilities and autism, and their families. 

The organisation supports over 150 service users across residential, supported living, short breaks, and day services in multiple locations in Downpatrick.

Mainstay DRP community hub manager, Nicola Trainer, said a cancer diagnosis is a family experience that changes the lives of all its members, bringing an immense amount of stress and many challenging situations.

“The money raised for Asda Tickled Pink is in Geraldine’s honour and we’re delighted to help those who need treatment, education, and life changing support,” she continued.

“Our service users decided themselves they wanted to complete a colour run to raise money for Asda’s charity in loving memory of Geraldine. Adrian and the Ghosh family decided to donate Geraldine’s many Asda costumes to the community hub which our service users were delighted about.”

Nicola continued: “Geraldine was a beautiful, fun, vibrant, kind-hearted woman and we were honoured that her family thought of us when they donated all her costumes. 

“Our service users remember Geraldine fondly as the lady who always loved dressing up at Christmas, Valentine’s and Halloween, with her good friend and co-worker Carol Campbell who both greeted them when they came into Asda. 

“The two ladies together always brought a smile to everyone and the magic they injected together in Asda Downpatrick is legendary.”

Asda store manager Ciara Smith thanked the charity for its generous donation to the Tickled Pink campaign.

“It’s especially touching for our colleagues at the Downpatrick store as the donation has been made in honour of our dear former colleague Geraldine who passed away from cancer 10 years ago.”

As part of its campaign to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Asda Tickled Pink campaign is on a mission to show customers how checking their boobs, pecs and chests can be as normal as their Asda shop.

Now in its 27th year, Asda Tickled Pink is one of the UK’s longest running charity partnerships. This year, over 200 exclusive pink products have hit the shelves that customers can purchase both in-store and online, with a range of Asda own label products available to support the campaign and an exclusive George at Asda Tickled Pink clothing range.

Sales of the products will help to raise vital funds for charity partners Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel! With the campaign seeing support from some iconic brands who are turning their packaging pink, including Diet Coke and Heinz Baked Beans.

Throughout 2023, Asda hopes to raise £7m through product sales and fundraising which is set to be the biggest year so far. The campaign has raised £82m since it launched in 1996. 

Asda’s 2023 survey of its customers revealed that two in five shoppers at its stores regularly check their chests, yet 24% of female shoppers who have checked before are forgetting to check regularly enough.

Asda’sTickled Pink campaign encourages everyone, regardless of age, gender or ethnicity to become real self-checkers and establish a regular breast checking routine.