A breast cancer diagnosis for a woman is a devastating experience but a South Cheshire businesswoman is determined to ease the pain.

Fashion boutique owner, Helen Johnson, who lives in Alsager but has a shop in Sandbach, is supporting a campaign to fund more research.

She has joined a bra recycling scheme as part of the 'Against Breast Cancer' to have a bra bank in her shop, Boutique 23 in High Street, Sandbach so women can drop off unwanted bras to fund research.

For every tonne of bras collected, Against Breast Cancer will receive £700 to fund our research which they say will help the 30 million women in the UK through their bra recycling campaign here .

Breast cancer is a subject very much close to Helen's heart. Her own mum had breast cancer and she knows just how devastating a diagnosis can be.

Helen runs Boutique 23 in Sandbach High Street opposite The Cobbles. (Photo: Nub News)

"It's a subject close to my heart. My own mum had it and so many women seem to be experiencing problems. I just want to do all I can to help," said Helen, whose Facebook page for her business is here .

"We all have bras we don't wear or have outgrown for whatever reason. This is such a good cause and anyone can come in and drop bras off in my boutique in the High Street. Let's raise as much money as we can."

Against Breast Cancer funds pioneering research into new treatments, tools for earlier diagnosis and advice to reduce the risk of recurrence and secondary spread.

Working with expert scientists they want to increase the survival rates of all breast cancer patients and ultimately, discover a vaccine against breast cancer.

A spokesperson from Against Breast Cancer said: "Our bra recycling scheme takes your unwanted or unloved bras and through our network of bra banks raises vital funds for pioneering breast cancer research.

"Together with our recycling partners, our textile recovery project prevents these bras going into landfill before giving them a new lease of life.

"Successful ventures like this provide employment and an income for people living in the UK. Any bras that are genuinely beyond redemption are dismantled and disposed of properly."