A strong start to 2026 for the Pink Ladies of Argyll, as they become the first winners of Tesco’s stronger starts for 2026.
For its victory, the charity will receive £1500, with £1000 going to second place Oban Toy Cupboard and £500 to third place Dalmally Primary school for its breakfast fund.
The Pink Ladies support women across Argyll who have experienced breast cancer - recognising that the impact of diagnosis often lasts long beyond treatment.
Through regular six-weekly coffee meet-ups across four key towns (with plans to expand), they provide ongoing connection and peer support alongside access to health and fitness memberships, holistic therapies on a case-by-case basis, wellbeing days, specialist-led advice sessions. bra-fitting visits and continued engagement.
The Pink Ladies Day, their annual flagship event brings this support to life.
Chairperson Nicky Murphy said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this amazing Stronger Starts grant – it will be extremely helpful in covering costs relating to transportation for our Pink Ladies - key to ensuring we reduce barriers to attending the Pink Ladies Day, given our rural challenges! - and to subsidise some of our specialist wellbeing therapies.
"We would like to thank the lovely people of Oban and Lochgilphead that chose our box for their blue tokens – it really is very much appreciated. We would also like to thank Karen Cook for nominating us. Karen is a wonderful supporter of the Pink Ladies of Argyll - the work we do is close to her heart. We remember her sister Margaret Cain with love."
Tesco’s Community Champion, Natalie Cook, said: "I think it’s amazing that Pink Ladies won. The work they do is phenomenal, I heard a lot of good things from people they have supported who say how amazing they are.
"We would just like to give everyone a big thank you for continuing vote and for carrying on voting in Stronger Starts."
Keep picking up those blue tokens at check-out, as the next round of Stronger Starts has already begun.
You can choose from the Clyde Fisherman’s Trust, Park Primary School Parent Council, or Feis Latharna.
Tesco’s Stronger Starts – previously Tesco Bags of Help and Tesco Community Grants - has already provided over £127 million to more than 74,000 projects across Britain.
The scheme is run in partnership with charity Groundwork and supported by greenspace scotland to award grants to thousands of local community projects every year.
Claire de Silva, Tesco UK Head of Communities and Local Media, said: said: “Tesco Stronger Starts help support local good causes but especially those projects supporting young people, those providing food, and local causes close to our colleagues’ hearts.”
Emma Halliday, Community Enabler Coordinator at greenspace scotland, said: “Tesco Stronger Starts continues to give local projects the boost they need to help their communities thrive.
"By funding services which support young people and reduce food poverty, we hope to facilitate positive change from the ground up across the UK. We are pleased to have been able to help so many local good causes over the years and look forward to seeing what community organisations can achieve in the future with the right resources.”
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