GROUPS across Salisbury have been doing their bit to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

An annual lunch for past and present breast cancer patients was held at the Michael Herbert Hall in Wilton last Wednesday.

The lunch, which was organised by Salisbury District Hospital staff and is now in its 23rd year, offers patients the chance to share their experiences and provide support to others, away from the clinical setting of a hospital.

Specialist nurse Shirley Holmes said the event was very successful with about 160 people attending.

It raised £510, which will be split between The Salisbury Support and Social Group, a local self-help group for breast cancer patients; and the Face the Future groups in Salisbury and Gillingham, which offer a free one-off skincare and make-up session for women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

People in Bemerton Heath also did their bit, while also getting treated to a bit of a pampering in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Two Avon representatives held a Pink Pamper Party at Bemerton Heath Community Centre to raise money for the charity, as part of a national Avon initiative.

Next Tuesday 40 ladies from Amesbury will be perfecting their grapevines and box steps as they take part in Pink Aerobics, an hour of aerobics at the Bowman Centre, Archers Gate, to raise money for Breast Cancer Campaign.

The charity funds innovative research to understand how breast cancer develops in order to improve diagnosis and treatment.