Students from LSBU Women’s Rugby have spent the past month teaming up with GKT Women’s Rugby to raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer Now, the UK’s largest breast cancer charity. Their efforts are supporting world-class research and vital care services throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The two clubs have taken a creative approach to fundraising, organising joint social events with other sports teams, joining Parkrun events, and even swapping boots for pom-poms by joining an LSBU Cheerleading training session. Their presence at Parkrun turned heads for all the right reasons, members of the men’s rugby team ran in bright pink bras, offering a light-hearted but powerful message about breast cancer awareness.

The students’ campaign will conclude with a 20-mile walk across the Seven Sisters hills, a challenging route chosen to symbolise the resilience, strength, and solidarity of those affected by breast cancer. Alongside their fundraising efforts, the teams have been actively promoting Breast Cancer Now’s “TLC – Touch, Look, Check” campaign, encouraging young people to learn the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and check themselves regularly.

So far, the groups have raised over £1,000 through their JustGiving page, with donations still coming in. Their initiative showcases how LSBU students consistently use sport as a platform for wellbeing, community connection, and social impact, demonstrating that the power of sport goes far beyond the pitch.

Student Voices

Jeri, LSBU Women’s Rugby
“Co-leading this Breast Cancer Now fundraiser with Sophie meant a great deal to me, especially because cancer has touched the lives of people close to me. I wanted to turn that personal experience into something positive by helping raise awareness among young women at LSBU. Breast cancer can affect anyone, and learning the signs early is crucial, yet it’s something many of us don’t talk about enough.
Most women in the UK aren’t invited for routine mammograms until their 50s, which is far older than most university students. That’s why TLC (Touch, Look, Check) is so important. Building confidence to check ourselves, recognise changes, and seek help early could genuinely protect lives. If this event encouraged even a handful of women to form healthy habits now, then it was worthwhile.
What made this fundraiser special wasn’t only the £1,000+ raised—it was the openness, support, and sense of unity it created. Seeing our team and the wider LSBU community come together for something bigger than rugby was inspiring. For me, it showed the strength of women supporting women, and I’m proud of the awareness, compassion, and community we built.”

Sophie, LSBU Women’s Rugby
“As a first-time member of the LSBU Women’s Rugby leadership group, co-running this Breast Cancer Now fundraiser with Jeri was especially meaningful. Rugby has long been seen as a male-dominated sport, and while campaigns like Movember are rightly supported, women’s health doesn’t always get the same visibility. We wanted to change that.
Breast cancer affects 1 in 7 women, yet many still don’t realise how common it is or how important TLC (Touch, Look, Check) is for early detection. Raising awareness within our team and the wider LSBU sport community felt vital, and it opened conversations that many hadn’t had before.
This event wasn’t just about raising over £1,000 (though we’re proud of that!). It was about bringing people together, building confidence, and creating a sense of community beyond the pitch. As a newer player myself, being part of this fundraiser helped me feel more connected to the team, and I’m proud we’ve created a positive legacy for women’s rugby at LSBU.”

If you would like to donate or check out their JustGiving page please head to the following link – LSBU and GKT Women’s Rugby is fundraising for Breast Cancer Now