Former East Enders actress backs bingo fund raiser

2:33pm Monday 29th September 2008

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Actress Michelle Collins has posed in a unique ball-gown made of bingo tickets to launch Bingo for Breakthrough 2008.

The campaign, now in its sixth year, is a partnership between Breakthrough Breast Cancer and The Bingo Association, which sees bingo clubs across the country turning pink for Bingo for Breakthrough Week, 19th -25th October 2008.

Michelle is the face of this year's campaign and is encouraging supporters to go down to their local bingo hall and get involved: "I am delighted to be supporting Bingo for Breakthrough 2008.

"It is a truly unique event that continues to receive a huge amount of support as well as raising a massive amount of money for this very important cause.

"I am really looking forward to a fun-filled, action-packed Bingo for Breakthrough week."

The campaign has raised £2.75million through fundraising in bingo clubs in the past five years and is aiming to hit the £3million mark this year.

All of the money raised helps to fund Breakthrough Breast Cancer’s vital research, campaigning and education work. B reast cancer is an issue of real importance to the UK’s three million bingo players, as over seventy percent of them are women. Bingo for Breakthrough provides a valuable opportunity to raise awareness amongst bingo players as well as funds for research into the disease.

During Bingo for Breakthrough Week bingo clubs raise money by taking part in a whole variety of fundraising activities from raffles to fancy dress competitions.

Clubs will be offering members a free game and inviting them to make a donation to Breakthrough for an opportunity to win this year’s Bingo for Breakthrough mascot.

Participating bingo clubs will also be selling pink dabbers, with 75p from each sale going directly to Breakthrough Breast Cancer. To show your support for Bingo for Breakthrough go down to your nearest bingo hall between 19th and 25th October to join in with the fundraising activities or alternatively play online at Gala Bingo.

To find your nearest bingo club visit www.nationalbingo.co.uk or for more information call 020 7025 2493.