IChemE wears it pink

Staff at the Institution of Chemical Engineer’s (IChemE) Rugby headquarters in Railway Terrace, took a break from working to support their 42,000 members in 120 countries to ‘Wear it Pink’ last Friday.

Wear it Pink is a fun activity organised by Breast Cancer Now, the UK’s largest breast cancer charity. Staged as part of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a worldwide annual campaign involving thousands of organisations, the activity highlights the importance of breast awareness, education and research.

Visitors to the Institution’s Davis Building were confronted by the colourful spectacle of IChemE’s normally soberly dressed staff decked out in a wild variety of pink clothing including wigs, sunglasses and hula skirts.

All those taking part made a small donation to the Wear it Pink collection box.  Heavy fines were imposed on those who failed to enter into the spirit of things.

Extra funds were raised through the sale of pink cakes and candy bars. Staff also took part in a pink balloon raffle and a quiz.

IChemE’s Wear it Pink co-ordinator, Ann Pendlebury, from Long Lawford said, “I wanted to encourage my colleagues to join forces with thousands of people around the country to stand together against breast cancer. The response here at IChemE has been fabulous with people from every department getting involved.”

IChemE’s Davis building has been a familiar land mark in Rugby since it was renovated and extended in 1996. The Institution employs over 90 staff and contributes approaching £1 million annually to the local economy in wages as well as drawing on the services of local contractors and suppliers.

This year’s Wear it Pink high-jinks raised a total of £200 with all the cash going to Breast Cancer Now.