Fundraisers turn Downing Street pink

A trio of fundraisers brightened up Downing Street when they made a pit stop at Number 11 during a charitable tour of the UK in an auto-rickshaw.

Joanne Flitcroft, a lawyer from Alderley Edge, is driving 1,500 miles around the country with her two friends Hannah Reeves and Nicole Xodo in a customised Indian rickshaw to raise money for Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention.

Joanne, 41, was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2011 and was treated by consultant surgeon Lester Barr, the chairman of Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention.

The three, sporting eye-catching pink boiler suits to raise money and awareness for Genesis, set of from The Nightingale Centre and Genesis Prevention Centre on Friday 29th June, and have already visited Carlisle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Yorkshire and Nottingham. On Thursday, 5th July, they travelled down Downing Street for a photo with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne.

Joanne said "Following my treatment for breast cancer, I wanted to do something to help and support Genesis. After discounting all the sensible options, I came up with this. A tour of the country in the Pink Ribbon Rickshaw will be no mean feat. It has a top speed of 30 miles per hour and the engine capacity is the same as a push along lawnmower!

"We've already had a fantastic amount of encouragement from people in Manchester and hope we'll receive a similar reception when we stop off at cities around the UK."

In an extra fundraising push, the friends are inviting people across the country to submit challenges for them to undertake along the way. They've already been promised £500 if they fulfil the challenge of getting a photograph taken with a member of parliament in the three capitals; Cardiff, Edinburgh and London.

The team are delighted to have been invited to visit Downing Street by George Osborne, our local MP, when they passed through London on Thursday 5th July at 9am.

George Osborne, MP for Tatton and Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: "I was delighted to welcome Joanne, Nicole, Hannah, and the Pink Ribbon Rickshaw to Downing Street this morning. They are undertaking a remarking feat, and in doing so are raising money for fantastic cause. I congratulate them and wish them every success for the remainder of their journey."

Lester Barr said: "Ten days in a Tuk-Tuk? No, Joanne's not mad, just passionate about a great cause. Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention is the only UK charity dedicated entirely to preventing the disease. Prevention is better than cure – so support Joanne, Hannah and Nicole and help us accelerate the pace of our prevention research!"

The team will complete their 1500 mile journey on Sunday, 8th July, when they return to Alderley Edge where a finish line party will be held at Panacea from 3pm. Tickets priced £20 for adults and £5 for children, including champagne and canapés are available from Panacea. All proceeds will go to Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention.

In 2007, Genesis opened Europe's first purpose-built Breast Cancer Prevention Centre in Wythenshawe. Currently, one in 10 women and one in 1,000 men will develop breast cancer in their lifetime – through the funding of vital medical research, Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention aims to make one in 10, none in 10.

Supporters can follow the trio on their blog and donations can be made via their Just Giving page, or by texting "PINK90 £5" or "PINK90 £10" to 70070.