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Arighi is tickled pink

Jenny Kirby
26/ 9/2007

ARIGHI Bianchi staff  are tickled pink to be raising money for the  Breast Cancer Campaign.

The famous Macclesfield furnishing store is breaking a 150-year tradition by turning a delivery lorry bright pink to celebrate the launch of an eight week fundraising programme.

Coronation Street actress Jennie McAlpine, who plays Fizz, kick-started the campaign by officially unveiling the pink-mobile and releasing balloons at Arighi Bianchi.

Hoping to raise a truck load of cash, they want to collect more than £10,000 by hosting a range of events from September until November.

Director Nick Bianchi said: “For 150 years our delivery vehicles have used our traditional blue and gold livery, but we wanted to shout about our support of the charity, and what better way than to paint one of our fleet bright pink and get people talking about it as we make deliveries across the region and UK?

“Almost everyone knows someone who has been affected by breast cancer and we started supporting the charity after one of our employees, Catherine Slack, lost three members of her family to the disease.

“Seeing the dedication and commitment Catherine and other staff members have put towards raising funds, we decided that as a business we could do more and all work towards contributing a significant sum.”

Arighi Bianchi will donate £5 for every piece of furniture delivered using the lorry.

Other activities will include a Pink Gala Dinner and auction in November, a special range of dishes created by executive chef Richard Dunkley, which will feature on Arighi’s Cafe Bar menu, donation boxes throughout the store, staff ‘bring £1 to work’ days and a pink chocolate fountain in the restaurant.

Catherine said: “October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month so it’s marvellous the company is supporting the charity at such an opportune time.

“I’m so grateful that everyone has got behind the campaign and I’m sure with the support of the management, staff and our loyal customers we will raise in excess of our target of £10,000.”

Receptionist Catherine Slack and Wendy Harrington joined forces with two friends to conquer the Great Wall of China earlier this year, raising thousands for the Breast Cancer Campaign.

Wendy, who works on the sales floor at Arighi, said their China experience left them with the bug to raise more money for charity.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can visit the store, or the website www.breastcancercampaign.org/donations.