A local cancer charity have officially launched sales of a new student-led merchandise line at RGU’s Aberdeen Business School Placement fair.
Friends of ANCHOR were at the fair to announce the sales release of their charity tote bags that were designed by 4th year media student, Joanna MacQueen (21), during her eight-week placement with the charity earlier in the year.
This will be the first times the bags will be available for public sale after their debut appearance at Friends of ANCHOR’s Courage on the Catwalk event earlier in the year saw all 1000 of the initial order sell-out within 48 hours.
Following the unprecedented demand, Friends of ANCHOR doubled the order with suppliers Travelstock to 2000 tote bags, ready to go live with public sales at today’s RGU Placement Fair showcase.
Celebrating the public launch for the tote bags, PR & Fundraising Manager at Friends of ANCHOR, Sarah-Jane Hogg comments; “The three designs of the tote bag collection deliver an inspirational message – ‘Have Strength’, ‘Be Brave’ and ‘Take Courage’. These messages are particularly poignant for those affected by cancer who Friends of ANCHOR exists to serve and support through the funds invested in to the ANCHOR Unit and leading research.
“Our hope is that these bags will be worn with pride by many around the North-east, encouraging passers by who read the inspirational messages as well as raising valued awareness and funds for Friends of ANCHOR.
“We are incredibly excited to publically launch our first student-designed merchandise line and indebted to Joanna for the time and talent she poured into the project.”
This is the first chance that Friends of ANCHOR have been able to retail the merchandise to the public, due to the collections staggering popularity at Courage on the Catwalk earlier in the year.
The bags will be available through the charity’s website as well as at selected seasonal fairs up until Christmas.
Commenting on the public sales launch of the tote bags Joanna McQueen comments; "I was overjoyed at how quickly the collection sold at Courage on the Catwalk. It was pretty special seeing someone wearing and showing off their new bag that I designed! It's exciting to see the tote bags going on sale this week and I hope they are another tremendous success for Friends of ANCHOR."
Over the last three years, the charity has hosted numerous RGU placement students, like Joanna, who have been able to get involved in new exciting projects, with one previous placement student now working for Friends of ANCHOR’s fundraising team.
Lisa Dunn, Placement Manager at RGU, said: “We are delighted that Friends of ANCHOR have chosen the Aberdeen Business School’s Placement Fair to launch Joanne McQueen’s designed ‘Have Strength’, ‘Be Brave’ and ‘Take Courage’ Tote Bag. As placement hosts they have supported our placement programmes and students for a number of years and we value the experiences they offer.
“Joanna’s achievement is an excellent example of the trust, responsibility and effectiveness a placement student can bring to an organisation, and a fantastic opportunity for our students to excel by contributing the very best of their talents.”
The bags are on sale for £5 donation to Friends of ANCHOR and can be purchased by contacting the Friends of ANCHOR office on 01224 859170 or emailing foa@balmoral.co.uk.
Every penny of the profits will go to Friends of ANCHOR’s commitment to North-east cancer and haematology patient care, treatment and wellbeing provision within the ANCHOR Unit as well as the charity’s investment in pioneering local cancer research projects.