The Tradies Support The Ladies rocket is launching into the Hunter, as the breast cancer awareness movement looks to sweep across the nation.
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The movement was started by two Tamworth tradies, Gary Sinclair and Matt Witson some time ago, when the pair started wearing pink on Friday’s in support of their wives, who have both battled breast cancer.
In November last year the movement went online, and now just six months later over 1000 tradies all over the Tamworth region, and the state, can be seen in bright pink shirts every Friday.
The key to their success is the simplicity and effectiveness of their cause. The boys have never, and will never ask anyone to donate money and services, all they ask is that people wear pink on Fridays to start a conversation about what role men can play in early detection and intervention.
“It’s pretty simple – we raise awareness through education and communication and spreading the message – that’s all we want,” Mr Sinclair said.
“The pink shirt just helps start that conversation, but that conversation could also save a life, and a family.”
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In Tamworth Hip Pocket Workwear will embroider any shirt, or article of clothing for that matter, with $10 of the charge going to the Cancer Council, and now Hip Pocket in Wallsend and Maitland have also jumped on board.
“We really have been blown away – it just keeps shocking us how fast it is taking off and going ahead,” Mr Sinclair said.
“It really is all over the country, but now we are officially launching in Newcastle and the Hunter, we already have eight or nine companies signed up, as well as some in Sydney – it is exciting.”
Mr Sinclair was recently so excited about it that he got the TSTL symbol inked on his shoulder.
“People were asking me how committed I was,” he said.
“I am never giving up on this – I won’t stop.
“The harder we go at it the better chance we have of helping someone.
“These days if breast cancer is caught early enough there is no need for chemotherapy or radiation, that is why we want everyone to start having the conversation, and checking their partners.”
The Tradies held an official launch at The Tamworth Hotel not long ago, although like all good tradies they are planning on “measuring twice”, and having another one in August, while there are also plans underway to take a bus load of pink tradies to Newcastle for an official Hunter launch as well.
“We love the launches because that is what it is all about, getting together and having a chat,” Mr Sinclair said.
“It is also nice to know that what you are fighting for, or what you are going through, other people are fighting for and going through as well.”
