03/05/2024
Newton-Montacute Bakers Delight were delighted last year to be advised they were one of the top fundraising bakeries for the Pink Bun campaign across Australia. Franchisee Rachel Quinlan has a personal connection to the organisation Pink Bun raises funds for, Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA). She took her father to the Field of Women at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) as part of the prize she received last year in recognition of her 2023 Pink Bun efforts and is now keen to focus on the campaign for this year.
Rachel said she is certainly up for the challenge after being with Bakers Delight for more than a decade, but having only taken over this bakery in 2021. “To be amongst the top bakeries across Australia is a huge achievement and we feel very proud and honoured,” said Rachel. “We engage with our local community and the centre, hosting fun bun decoration activities for a gold coin donation, which worked really well last year.”
Rachel said that although the team do not have any personal connection to breast cancer, it was an opportunity to start conversations. “Anyone you talk to or share a relationship with has experienced pain with some sort of cancer,” she said. “If we can provide support three weeks of the year we do it, and we feel so humbled and get such satisfaction knowing we have gotten around BCNA.”
The Newton-Montacute Bakers Delight staff are already revved up for the Pink Bun campaign this year, in particular dressing up the store in pink as well as themselves. “For three weeks of the year we come together as a team and deliver results,” Rachel said. “If we can provide awareness and donate, the reward is incredible, and we have seen new customers come in over the last two years just to donate to the cause.”
BCNA and Bakers Delight have partnered for 24-years, with Bakers Delight raising an incredible $25 million for BCNA in that time. The relationship offers an excellent example of what business and charity can achieve together.
“We are so incredibly grateful for the franchisees at Bakers Delight – the way they give back, get behind the campaign, pink up their stores, encourage their staff,” said BCNA CEO Kirsten Pilatti. “That ongoing support and partnership is something that we don’t take for granted.”
From 9-29 May, Bakers Delight bakeries across the country will begin baking their limited-edition Fun Buns to support Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) and all Australians affected by breast cancer. During this time,100% of the sales from every Fun Bun or Fun Bun 6-Pack sold will be donated to BCNA to help it continue to provide Australians affected by breast cancer with the very best information, treatment, and support.
Bakers Delight Joint CEO, Elise Gillespie said the Pink Bun campaign was something she and franchisees around the country looked forward to each year. “This campaign wouldn’t be a success without the generosity and enthusiasm of our franchisees and it’s incredible to see our bakeries turn pink for this special campaign. This year’s campaign theme really focusses on helping BCNA support every Australian affected by breast cancer, so we would encourage customers across Australia to come into their local bakery not only to buy Fun Buns, but to share their own personal stories and connection with breast cancer. It really reinforces why we do this campaign and what it means to our franchisees and local community members.”
More than 20,000 women and men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. A breast cancer experience is different for everyone – and each Australian diagnosed will need different support – which is highlighted by the three Pink Bun ambassadors in 2024. The faces behind this year's campaign – Kansas, Sam, and Jill – arrived from different parts of the country to share and shine a light on how BCNA and its staff have supported each of them through their respective breast cancer experiences.
Ms Pilatti said Bakers Delight’s support has been vital for BCNA. “The generosity of the whole Bakers Delight team, year-after-year, is overwhelming,” she said. “Without the support of the franchisees across Australia and their communities, BCNA would not be here to provide the information and support Australians need as they navigate their breast cancer journey.”
Media Contact:
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Rachael Stewart | Media and Communications Manager | 03 9805 2540| media@bcna.org.au
For further information on Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) please visit www.bcna.org.au
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About us:
Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) is the peak national organisation for Australians affected by breast cancer, and consists of a network of more than 175,000 individual members. BCNA supports, informs, represents and connects Australians affected by breast cancer and works to ensure that all Australians affected by breast cancer receive the very best care, treatment and support appropriate to their individual needs.
