Centra have issued a call this week for art and design students and graduates nationwide to submit an eye-catching design for its bag for life. This is the latest initiative by Centra in association with the Irish Cancer Society, having already raised over half a million Euro for the charity in 2012 alone.

Renowned Irish Artist and Fashion Designer Helen Steele will judge the overall winning design along with panellists from Centra and the Irish Cancer Society. The overall prize for the winning student is the use of their design on the charity bag which will be sold in 460 Centra stores nationwide throughout the month of October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) along with a state-of-the-art MacBook Pro. Art and design students and graduates can register their design on www.centra.ie and the competition closes on 15^th March with the winner being announced in early April.

This is Centra’s third year supporting the Irish Cancer Society’s Action Breast Cancer, with the 2012 campaign deemed the most successful to date. Over half a million Euro was raised through a number of fundraising initiatives such as the sale of the hugely successfullimited edition Centra pink umbrella and the 80 local community walks which took place throughout Ireland.  All funds raised provided information, advice and support services for women with breast cancer in Ireland. 

Speaking about the new design initiative Martin Kelleher, Managing Director, Centra said, “We are delighted to offer Irish designers of the future, a chance to showcase their talent for such a worthy cause. Many of our customers and staff have been affected by cancer in some way and this is reflected in the huge support for our campaign in the past. We hope our new bag for life in addition to our hugely successful local fundraising walks around the country in October will raise a significant sum for the Irish Cancer Society’s Action Breast Cancer in 2013.

Irish Artist and Fashion Designer Helen Steele said, “I know many people who have been affected by breast cancer so I’m delighted to be involved in this campaign. We are calling on students and graduates to submit some creative designs that will capture our imaginations and ultimately be something that people will want to purchase and shop with, with the money going to such a worthy cause.”

Emma Barrett, Corporate Partnerships Manager, Irish Cancer Society added, “We are delighted that Centra has come on board for another year to support the Irish Cancer Society’s Action Breast Cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Ireland, after non melanoma skin cancer, and every year more than 2,500 women are diagnosed with the disease throughout the country, therefore initiatives like this are crucial for raising awareness and much needed funds.”

The Irish Cancer Society’s Action Breast Cancer is Ireland’s leading provider of breast cancer information and support, reaching over 25,000 women who are concerned about breast cancer and breast health every year. The Society strives to ensure that everyone affected by breast cancer has the support they need, when they need it. Anyone concerned about breast cancer or breast health should call the Irish Cancer Society’s National Cancer Helpline on Freefone 1800 200 700.

Visit www.centra.ie for more information on the student design initiative.