Community campaign returns to raise funds for breast screening not covered by NHS
Lisburn is preparing to put its support behind Action Cancer again this October as the city revives its Paint the Town Pink campaign, organisers have confirmed. The initiative follows a successful drive last year that raised £20,000 and saw shops, workplaces and public spaces embraced a pink theme in aid of the charity.
Campaign supporters say the funds are vital to maintain Action Cancer’s life-saving breast screening service for women in age groups not currently covered by NHS programmes. The charity provides screening for well women aged 40–49 and 70+, offering early-detection checks for those outside routine national screening invitations.
The event has secured the backing of Alderman Amanda Grehan, the former Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh, who played a prominent role in championing the campaign during her year in office. Local businesses and community organisations are being encouraged to enter into the spirit of the month and raise money while promoting breast awareness across the city.
“Action Cancer’s Paint the Town Pink campaign in 2025 demonstrated the incredible community spirit and generosity of Lisburn’s business sector,”
In public remarks linked to the campaign, Alderman Grehan paid tribute to those who contributed last year and urged renewed participation for 2026. She highlighted meetings with Action Cancer’s new Breast Screening Ambassadors and pointed to the tangible difference fundraising makes for individuals who have benefited from the charity’s services.
How the campaign works locally
Organisers say Paint the Town Pink operates both as a fundraising and awareness initiative. In Lisburn, past activity included:
- shopfronts and business premises decorated in pink
- community groups staging events and promotions
- fundraising activity in workplaces and public spaces
The campaign mixes grassroots participation with co-ordination from local volunteers and supporters to maximise visibility during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Why the money matters
Action Cancer’s screening provision targets women who fall outside routine NHS invitations. Supporters say that, by funding these services, the charity helps deliver early detection opportunities for people who otherwise might not be screened. The campaign’s backers emphasise both the practical benefit of the screening checks and the wider value of boosting awareness about breast health across the community.
| Age group | Screening provider (for campaign focus) |
|---|---|
| 40–49 | Action Cancer (campaign-funded screening) |
| 70+ | Action Cancer (campaign-funded screening) |
Last year’s campaign in Lisburn, organisers note, transformed many public-facing sites and raised significant funds. Alderman Grehan encouraged businesses across the city to take part once more: she described the previous campaign as showcasing “the very best of Lisburn’s community spirit.”
As preparations continue for October, local groups and traders have been urged to consider how they might contribute, whether by decorating premises, staging fundraising events or promoting breast health messages. The organisers say collective effort will be key if Lisburn is to match or exceed the impact of the prior campaign.
Further details about how to get involved and formal fundraising arrangements are being circulated by campaign coordinators and local partners in the coming weeks. For many in the city, Paint the Town Pink is both a show of solidarity and a practical means of supporting screening for those outside the routine NHS invitation ages.
