SCOTLAND’S political leaders were in the pink at Holyrood yesterday as they put their sparring aside and united in support of women with breast cancer.
Nicola Sturgeon, Ruth Davidson, Alex Rowley, Willie Rennie and Patrick Harvie modelled a collection of pink outfits as part of Breast Cancer Now’s annual “wear it pink” fundraising event.
Now in its 16th year the event has raised £30 million to fund research into breast cancer.
The First Minister said: “By taking part in wear it pink we are united against breast cancer.
“This campaign will help fund Breast Cancer Now’s cutting-edge research — moving us closer to understanding breast cancer, preventing it, treating it and ultimately stopping it taking lives.”
Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson, said: “By taking part in wear it pink you can help to fund cutting-edge research into finding new ways to help prevent and treat this disease. It’s a privilege to be a part of this campaign.”
Alex Rowley, Scottish Labour’s interim leader, said: “By supporting research we can make a real difference for people with breast cancer, both now and in the future.”
Patrick Harvie, co-convenor of the Scottish Greens, said: “It’s an easy way to raise money for Breast Cancer Now’s life-saving research and to make a real difference to those affected by this disease.
“I’m proud to play a part in funding research that could stop this disease in its tracks.”
Scottish LibDem leader, Willie Rennie, said: “It’s a great event that brings people together in the common goal of working towards stopping this awful disease.
“I’ll be supporting wear it pink on Friday 20st October and I hope that it will encourage others to get involved too.”
Mary Allison, from the charity said more steps need to be taken to fight the disease.
“While huge progress has been made in improving survival, almost 1000 women a year in Scotland still die from this disease. Breast cancer is a devastating disease that we must tackle together.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here