In the early 90s in the UK more than 12,000 women died as a result of breast cancer each year. Breast cancer cases were increasing to almost 40,000 new diagnosis's a year in the UK - that's one every 15 minutes.

2008

Avon UK held it's first ever walk for breast cancer in partnership with Crazy Hats Breast Cancer Appeal, as part of the global Walk Around the World for Breast Cancer programme. More than 2,000 walkers braved a very rainy day and raised over £70,000!

Fundraising total so far: £13,979,244

2007

The Crusade was awarded the Business in the Community Silver Big Tick in the Jubilee Award for longstanding commitment to the breast cancer cause.

Reese Witherspoon was announced as Avon's Global Ambassador, and the Honorary Chair of the Avon Foundation.

Fundraising total: £13,748,058

2006

A breast cancer survivor from the Czech Republic exchanged a symbolic Global Connection Ribbon with a local survivor, part of a global Avon initiative called Walk Around The World for Breast Cancer linking almost 40 countries in this common cause.

Fundraising total: £12,943,441

2005

In 2005, a donation of £500,000 helped launch the Breakthrough Generations Study, an extensive study of 100,000 women over 40 years to explore attitudes, lifestyle and environmental factors to see why some women develop breast cancer while others don't. The largest and most thorough project of its kind.

Also in 2005, the 'Shake It' campaign raised funds for the training of 32 'peer supporters' to expand the nationwide network run by charity Breast Cancer Care. These are women who have been through breast cancer themselves and trained to support others.

Fundraising total: £12,200,063

Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Research Programme was launched. Not only was this the first programme of its kind that Breakthrough has embarked on with a corporate partner, but it was the first long-term charity/corporate clinical fellowship programme. The first of three 'Dr Avon' Clinical Research Fellows appointed by Breakthrough.

Fundraising total: £10,997,075

A total fundraising goal of £10 million for UK breast cancer charities was clearly in sight. Avon introduced the first 'cause related' fragrance - Pink Suede - with a product life royalty of £1 for every bottle sold.

Fundraising total: £10,285,360

2002

Avon pledged to raise £1m for Breakthrough as part of its 10th anniversary activities. A global Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer event saw lipsticks sold and kiss print collections in 47 countries.

Fundraising came in at £1.6 million for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, and globally, through activities in 47 countries, fundraising surpassed $250 million - the biggest corporate support for a single cause.

Fundraising total: £9,552,377

In the mood, staff started the kissing for the second KISS campaign setting the pace for a new Guinness World Record for the biggest collection of Kiss Prints. Almost 40,000 kisses are collected and used to highlight the importance of breast cancer prevention to the government.

Fundraising total: £7,953,371

2000

Avon's Breast Cancer Crusade received the Business in the Community Cause Related Marketing Award for Excellence. Fundraising reaches nearly £1 million and Avon tells three million women 'you're special' with a purse-sized calendar promoting the benefits of better breast awareness. Male staff 'get their kit-off' - and Avon photographers create tasteful but stunning black and white pics for an all-male 2001 calendar that raises £7,000.

Fundraising total: £7,200,542

1999

The official opening of the Breakthrough Research Centre - a third of the funding came from Avon. Top Crusade Representative, Sonia Bee attends, and manages to give a 'kiss' to Prince Charles - a fundraising kiss pin, of course! Putting the fun into fundraising, Kiss Goodbye to Breast Cancer launches. The KGTBC petition, asking the government to match £ for £ the contribution of charities, was delivered to Downing Street in October - More than 664,000 signatures were collected and £665,000 raised for Breakthrough.

Fundraising total: £6,243,597

Scientists started work at the new Breakthrough Research Centre, earlier than expected and a ceremony unveils a plaque recognising Avon's support. Individuals and departments who have met Breakthrough's £1,000 Challenge are named on the Founding Challengers Wall.

Fundraising total: £5,637,933

1997

Work began on the Breakthrough Toby Robins Breast Cancer Research Centre, and 15 Avon Macmillan Breast Nurses were working at hospitals all over the UK. A national writing competition brought in hundreds of entries from women willing to tell the story of their breast cancer journey, helping raise awareness of the positive aspects of beating breast cancer.

Fundraising total: £4,964,614

Fundraising during the fifth year of the Crusade comes in at an astonishing £1.2million. The gene BRCA2, vital in understanding hereditary breast cancer, is isolated, thanks to state-of-the art equipment provided with funding from Avon. A most unusual fundraising activity occurs when a member of staff brings a pet python to work and charges colleagues to have their photo taken.

Fundraising total: £4,272,800

1995

More pins, more fundraising. A group of 10 meet their £1,000 challenge by being sponsored to spend 24 hours in Britain's most haunted house. The Crusade is adopted by Avon US, and subsequently by many other countries.

Fundraising total: £3,136,800

1994

Avon's support extended to support Macmillan Cancer Relief, with the Mac Challenge raising enough money to train a new Macmillan Breast Care nurse and keep her in post for three years.

Avon's Crusade was recognised by the Direct Selling Association in December for innovation in enhancing the reputation of the direct selling industry.

Fundraising total: £2,411,800

1993

'The Avon Crusade Against Breast Cancer' was initiated, with the unprecedented step of placing a fundraising item in the Avon brochure. Olympic Gold Medallist Sally Gunnell headed up the Crusade promotions in brochure.

Fundraising total: £1,850,000

1992

The partnership between Avon and Breakthrough Breast Cancer began with a challenge to Avon Representatives and employees: to raise £1 million to kick-start Breakthrough's activities.

The first lapel pin was created and sold for £1. Avon challenged its Representatives, employees and suppliers to raise £1 million in a single day through sales of the pin. This was successful and a cheque for £1 million was presented to Breakthrough by Norma Major in October 1992.

Fundraising total: £1,000,000

A new charity, Breakthrough Breast Cancer, was launched in the UK. Its aim - to raise £15 million to establish a breast cancer research centre in the UK, the first of its kind in the world. It's aim to focus research in order to better understand the complexity of the disease, develop new treatments and ultimately find a cure.

Avon was also seeking ways to demonstrate its responsiveness in addressing the needs and concerns of women. The company had identified three main issues: equal opportunity in employment; child care and family issues; and healthcare. Breakthrough Breast Cancer stood out as the logical partner.