Cheshire-based Roberts Bakery has raised £25,000, half its target, to help Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention.

Cheshire bakery Roberts has pledged to raise £50,000 to help fund ground-breaking gene research. Since last October, Roberts’ Every Pink Pack Matters campaign has called for shoppers to pick up one of its special 2.5m wholemeal loaves in their local supermarket.

Breast cancer survivor Lindsay Occleston, a member of the Roberts family, and Lester Barr, chairman of Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention, announced the impressive milestone this week.

The ultimate £50,000 goal will help fund ground-breaking gene research which, in time, could lead to major changes in the UK breast screening service.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, with one in nine women developing the disease in their lifetime.

Barr said: “Gene research is an essential part of predicting breast cancer. Changes to the breast screening process will play a key role in identifying those with a high risk and, ultimately, could prevent the disease.”

Occleston agreed and said: “We’d like to thank everyone who has picked up a pink pack so far and made it possible. But we’d like to take this opportunity to ask for your continued support to help us reach our target.

“Every pink pack really does matter if we want to work towards a breast cancer-free future for ourselves, our children and generations to come.”

Earlier this month, Roberts announced it was to support the Royal Cheshire County Show for an 11th consecutive year.