Manilla Turns Pink: Tamworth Regional Council campaign sees businesses turn pink for breast cancer awareness

Visitors to the town might have noticed shop-by-shop, the main street is turning a brilliant shade of blush pink.

For the 15^th consecutive year, the town's window displays will turn pink in October to raise awareness for breast cancer.

Leyden Legal's office manager Shirley Smith has turned her artistic talents to the window again this year.

"This year with all the COVID-19 restrictions it's probably more important for us all to stand together as a community to support each other, and turning pink is a great way to show support," she said.

"Me personally, I've had a number of family members that have had breast cancer.

"These days most people have someone in their family or someone they know who has had breast cancer."

This year the Leyden Legal window is designed to get the message out to the public to be breast aware and look at factors that make women more vulnerable to the disease and how to be proactive about early diagnosis.

There's a best dressed window competition run by Tamworth Regional Council (TRC) with $15 entry, which goes to the Cancer Council Pink Ribbon as a donation.

TRC place manager Lisa Hannaford said it's a fun way for local businesses to be involved.

"We are asking businesses to register and encourage all staff to dress in pink for the month of October," she said.

"We also encourage individuals to enter and dress up the windows of their homes.

"Just make sure you register to be in the running for prizes."

Normally the council holds a fundraiser event in October but with COVID-19 it wasn't able to go ahead.

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Hart Rural Agencies has also taken part in the event for years.

Marketing coordinator Gemma Rothwell said the staff look forward to it.

"We all know someone who has been affected by breast cancer and we all want to raise awareness for it, it's such a simple thing you can do even if just one person gets something out of it," she said.

Men and women are encouraged to look for changes in appearance of their breasts and feel for lumps and pain.

Local women over 40 are also reminded it's free to have a mammogram with BreastScreen NSW.

Bookings can be made by booking online at www.breastscreen.nsw.gov.au or phoning 13 20 50 with the nearest screening location at Tamworth.

To register for Manilla Turns Pink, contact Tamworth Regional Council.