JUST two months ago it was feared Witney in Pink would not be able to go ahead due to a lack of volunteers.

But on Saturday the event returned for its 15th year thanks to a huge effort by organisers to get more people to help out.

The day raises funds for Abingdon-based charity Against Breast Cancer and volunteers man stalls, collect money, bake cakes and dream up a range of other activities to get donations rolling in.

Jean Chattoe, who started the annual event, said she was delighted it had been able to go ahead after making an appeal in the Oxford Mail and its sister paper, the Witney Gazette.

She lost her sister Delia Winkler to cancer and has battled the disease twice herself. The mother-of-two from Witney said: “It gets bigger and bigger every year. It is such a great community feeling, we always do well with fundraising.

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“We have got the people of Witney behind us and we have had a lot of publicity from both the Witney Gazette and the Oxford Mail, which has been really great.”

One of the event’s regular attractions sees businesses in Witney create pink window-displays. Among the rosy-looking fundraisers this year were regulars The Shake Shop and The Cross Keys.

Staff from The Cross Keys joined in the fun by donning pink costumes, with Sandy Hunter, who is married to the manager, one of those in pink builder’s uniforms.

Speaking as the day drew on, she said: “We decided to do something different this year and have it a bit more coordinated.

“We will be clearing tables later on and we thought something like the builder’s uniforms would be fun.We have put little children’s tools in our utility belts and we have got a collection box at the bar.”

Last year’s event pulled in about £6,000 for Against Breast Cancer, which is dedicated to funding research to improve detection and increase survival after breast cancer diagnosis.

Grace Nobel, partner at Lee Chadwick solicitors, spent the morning at a stall outside the business giving out free marshmallows and pink wafer biscuits.

She said: “We only decided to do this yesterday afternoon but we will be back next year for sure.

“We have a coffee morning once a month for our elderly customers and we like giving a bit back really.”

Staff at Bakers Butchers were also on-board with the pink theme as they donned pink aprons, hats and ties as they served customers in their shop in Market Square.

Henry Mo, who owns Sandwich De Witney in Market Street, is a regular supporter of Witney in Pink and raised money by busking. He said: “I am playing 1970s classics. Last year they put me in a tight ladies’ swimsuit. This year I’m wearing a cowboy hat, which should be a bit better.”