Breast Cancer survivor Karen marks 10-year journey with sponsored silence on Asda shift

Survivor Karen Owens raised £618 by taking on a 12-hour sponsored silence during a shift in Asda's Dalgety Bay store.

Karen wanted to show her gratitude for Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel! who supported her throughout her journey to recovery 10 years ago through the Tickled Pink fundraiser.

Colleagues helped Karen create cue cards explaining to customers why she was not speaking during her sponsored silence.

Karen, 52 and a mum of three, said: "I am doing fine now, especially with the continued support of my husband and kids. I'm actually ecstatic that I got to the 10-year milestone.

"It's been quite an emotional time for me, particularly with the 25th anniversary of Tickled Pink and my own 10th anniversary.

"My recovery story is proof of the amazing support from these charities – I was the lucky recipient of life-saving treatment and care from Breast Cancer Now and CoppaFeel!

"If it hadn't been for people who held their own fundraising activities, organised tombolas and the generous people who supported them, I believe I wouldn't be here today – I can’t thank everyone enough.

"Tickled Pink hits home each year because so many people have either had breast cancer or know someone who had it – it's very heart-warming to see the amazing response."

Alana Brown, community champion of Asda Dalgety Bay, said: “She loves conversations our Karen, so a sponsored silence is far from easy for her.

"She's a lovely lady and it's a great thing she's done.

"It's been a hard year for fundraising because of the pandemic so things like this which make people have a laugh are a great way to restart activities to raise money and awareness."

Ambient manager in the Dalgety Bay store, Andrea Wilkinson, added: “Karen did an amazing job and everyone in the store is so proud of her.

"As Karen has a lot of interactions with customers each day, this wasn't an easy challenge for her at all! Massive well done for this amazing fundraising."