Linton ready to turn pink for breast cancer

LINTON locals who buy tickets in October’s Pink Up Linton campaign will be in the running for various prizes, the major one a newly-donated quilt.

The queen-size cotton quilt has been made by the Linton Craft Group and was created enthusiastically after an approach by Linton Takeaway owner Cristine Gall.

Craft group secretary Janet Pathe said members jumped at the chance to make a significant contribution to Ms Gall’s efforts to support breast cancer research and care.

“She’s also been really good to the craft group,” Ms Pathe added.

Ms Pathe said the project took only about three weeks as members gathered on Mondays for the special project.

For her part, Ms Gall has been organising and guiding the Pink Up Linton initiative for the past five years.

From 1 to 31 October, it coincides with national Breast Cancer Awareness Month and raises money for the McGrath Foundation. Last year’s fundraising effort topped $3000.

Ms Gall said the raffle will be drawn on 31 October during the large morning tea event that marks the climax of local activities.

“Quite a few others are donating a lot of stuff to it as well this year, which has been good,” she said.

Ms Gall said items to be raffled also include a jug and teapot, a personal electric blanket-like body warmer, jewellery and more, all of which had been donated by residents of Linton and Skipton.

The Linton Hotel has also donated a meal voucher.

Raffle tickets are available for $2 each or three for $5 from the Linton Takeaway and the Skipton op shop.

Ms Gall said Skipton IGA was also planning to make a raffle prize donation, although she did not yet know what it is going to be.

“But the quilt is going to be the major prize this year,” she said.

There will be separate draws for each of the separate prizes.

Ms Gall said ticket sales started early this year, beginning the day after the craft group handed over the quilt, and estimated that about “a book and a half” had already sold.

She said she ran the Pink Up Linton month because she had had family members and a close friend who had battled breast cancer.

Ms Gall said anyone would be welcome to get involved in the campaign by wearing something pink during October.

“We wear pink at work the whole month of October, and we’ve got a new lady friend this year – we’ve got a mannequin in the shop, all done in pink,” she said.