THE MP for Bracknell has thrown his weight behind a campaign to hammer out breast cancer.

Dr Phillip Lee added a splash of pink to his usual attire as he joined more than 200 other parliamentarians in Westminster to encourage people across the UK to take part in Wear It Pink Day on Friday, October 19.

Dr Lee met up with Donna Fraser, four-time Team GB Olympian and Vice President of UK Athletics, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009 at the age of 36.

The Equality, Diversity and Engagement Lead at UK Athletics, said: “I’m delighted to be supporting wear it pink this year – it is a fun and fabulous fundraising event which brings families, friends and work colleagues together to help fund research into this devastating disease.

“Breast cancer awareness and raising funds for research is hugely important to me - there are too many women being diagnosed with breast cancer, and sadly too many women still lose their lives each year. This cause is very close to my heart, and as someone who has personally been through breast cancer, I know the just how important it is to raise money for research, to help reach a day where nobody dies from breast cancer. For me, that day can’t come soon enough.”

Dr Lee is urging his constituents to join thousands of people across the country to sign up to raise money for Breast Cancer Now's Wear It Pink campaign.

He said: "Breast cancer is still the most common form of cancer in the UK. Each year around 11,500 women and 80 men lose their lives to the disease. That’s why I’m encouraging everyone in Bracknell to take part in wear it pink day on Friday, October 19.

“Wear it pink is great way to come together with friends and family to have fun whilst raising money for Breast Cancer Now’s vital research. As you can see from my photograph, all it takes is an additional splash of pink to your normal outfit.

“Breast cancer affects so many people in Berkshire, so I hope that everybody in the Bracknell constituency will get involved this October and support this very important cause.”

Baroness Delyth Morgan, Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Now, said: “We are really grateful for the enthusiasm and support shown by the MPs at Westminster. Everyone looked fabulous in their pink accessories and showed just how easy it is to add a touch of pink to your everyday outfit. We hope that by wearing pink, Phillip Lee will encourage his constituents in Bracknell to get involved and fundraise in their homes, schools or workplaces, and help us to continue to fund world-class research into this devastating disease.

“Wear it pink is a fantastic opportunity for communities across the UK to come together, have fun and show their support to this very important cause. By simply wearing something pink and donating what you can, you are helping raise much-needed funds to stop breast cancer taking the lives of those we love. Together we can take one step forward to help reach our goal that, by 2050, everyone who develops breast cancer will live, and live well.”