VIP Endorsements

Business In The Community Award for Excellence 2003

The Avon Breast Cancer Crusade is often praised as an example of best practice for its long-term impact. Awards include the Business in the Community Award for Excellence 2000 and the annual Impact Endorsement Mark.

Royal Crest

As the proud patron of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, I am delighted that the Avon Crusade against Breast Cancer has so far raised more than £8 million for breast cancer charities in the United Kingdom.

Your generosity has helped Breakthrough Breast Cancer establish the "Breakthrough Toby Robins Breast Cancer Research Centre" and funded vital research into the prevention and eradication of breast cancer.

I am heartened by the news that the mortality rate for breast cancer is at last on the decline, and that more women are surviving breast cancer than ever before, but this is no reason for complacency, and the fight must continue.

I send my heartfelt thanks to every member of the Avon family, including the customers, who have given their unstinting support to fund-raising activities year after year since the partnership with Breakthrough began in 1992.

Avon was honoured to receive this letter from HRH The Prince of Wales on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary of the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade in 2002.

"I was there when Avon gave Breakthrough the first £1 million in 1992. When you see what Avon has achieved since, it helps you really appreciate the true meaning of commitment."
Gloria Hunniford

"It is good to know that you are not alone. Avon's commitment is a valuable support to the many women living with this distressing condition. Well done."
Claire Rayner

“Avon have made an unprecedented contribution to breast cancer research. They helped establish the UK’s first facility dedicated to breast cancer – the Breakthrough Research Centre – and funded equipment used in the discovery of BRCA2, one of the two major genes associated with the disease. With Avon’s support we can continue to carry out our ground-breaking research, making a future free from the fear of breast cancer a reality.”
Professor Alan Ashworth
Director of the Breakthrough Research Centre

"Avon's Breast Cancer Crusade is a wonderful example of the power of partnerships between business and charity. Not only has Avon succeeded in raising £8 million in the UK for Breakthrough Breast Cancer's vital research into breast cancer, but has raised awareness of the charity and breast cancer issues amongst women the length and breadth of the country. As a past winner of the Business in the Community Cause Related Marketing Award for Excellence we are delighted to see that this great partnership model has not only been a huge success in the UK but has been exported all over the world, raising $250 million globally."
Julia Cleverdon
Chief Executive, Business in the Community

"I am delighted to be able to congratulate Avon on the 10th anniversary of its Breast Cancer Crusade and its partnership with Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Cancer is one of the biggest health challenges our country faces and together we will face that challenge."
Rt Hon Tony Blair MP
Prime Minister
June 2002

"I have seen and heard first hand the magnificent contribution Avon has made to the fight against breast cancer. Keep up the good work."
Rt Hon Alan Milburn MP
Secretary of State for Health
June 2002

"There's no doubt in my mind that without the hard work and dedication of Avon employees, representatives and customers, the Centre's work could not have moved forward so quickly. Because of everyone who has supported the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, we are closer to finding a cure for this devastating disease."
Baroness Morgan of Drefelin,
Breakthrough Breast Cancer