Throughout February and March, IGA stores nationwide will raise funds for the McGrath Foundation. Money raised from the sale of hundreds of Community Chest labelled products will be donated to help place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities across Australia.
The initiative was launched on 17 February at Bray’s IGA in Allambie Heights, with celebrations attended by Tracy Bevan, McGrath Foundation Ambassador & Director and Manly McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Elaine Arnold.
The Bray’s IGA store was festooned with balloons and streamers in the McGrath Foundation’s signature shade of pink – even the store’s main IGA logo was re-coloured for the event. Store manager, Andrew Bray, drummed up further local support by installing collection boxes in every shop in the shopping village.
Fergus Collins, CEO of Supermarkets, Metcash, said of the fundraising: “It is an absolute honour for us to help the McGrath Foundation raise money to place breast care nurses in communities across Australian and raise breast awareness in Australians, particularly young women.”
“IGA’s Community Chest initiative has driven a substantial amount of money for various causes across the country and I am so proud of the support that our store teams provide to raise both awareness and funds for such worthy campaigns. As a result of just part of this fundraising, we are delighted to have been able to place two McGrath Breast Care Nurses and aim to place many more in the future,” Mr Collins continued.
McGrath Foundation Ambassador Tracy Bevan added: “We are incredibly proud of our friendship with IGA, who have been an amazing friend to the Foundation. The reality is, without the support of initiatives like this we couldn’t do what we do. It’s been wonderful to see the Australian public really get behind IGA’s continued support of the McGrath Foundation.”
Above: Bray’s IGA sports a pink IGA logo and displays signage supporting the McGrath Foundation
Above: Store manager Andrew Bray (centre back) with store staff James McIntosh, Jenny Bonnor, Sam Thomas, Ingrid Bromhead, Anna Cirillo and Chloe Mangold. Tracy Bevan, McGrath Foundation Ambassador & Director (front right) with Manly McGrath Breast Care Nurse, Elaine Arnold.
A proud supporter of the McGrath Foundation since 2009, IGA has raised over $500,000 to date and funds two McGrath Breast Care Nurses in Myrtleford, VIC and Northam, WA who provide support to women and families experiencing breast cancer.
For more information visit http://www.iga.com.au/mcgrath/