Dedicated member of staff at Boston supermarket launches fundraiser 30 years in the making

A dedicated member of staff at a supermarket in Boston has launched a fundraiser 30 years in the making.

Stephen Bromby, Asda’s community champion in Boston, is planning to run 30 miles this month to celebrate 30 years since he joined the company, while also marking the 30th anniversary of the supermarket’s Tickled Pink breast cancer campaign.

Stephen Bromby, of Boston's Asda store, at various points of his 30 years with Asda, including a special evening at the Boston Standard's Pride of Boston Awards in 2014.

placeholder image — Stephen Bromby, of Boston's Asda store, at various points of his 30 years with Asda, including a special evening at the Boston Standard's Pride of Boston Awards in 2014.

Proceeds from the effort will go to Tickled Pink, which supports the work of two breast cancer charities – Breast Cancer Now and Coppafeel!

Stephen said: “Every penny raised and every mile covered will help to improve the lives of people affected by breast cancer, all for Asda Tickled Pink’s 30th birthday.

Asda community champion Stephen Bromby with popstar Peter Andre on the Rollback dance video shoot.

“We're all on a mission to make checking your boobs, pecs or chests, whoever you are, as normal as your Asda shop. “With the help of people who support me, we're raising funds for better breast cancer treatments, vital education and life-changing support, for anyone who needs it.”

Stephen joined Asda in Boston in January 1996, which, at that time, was based in Horncastle Road.

After spells in Grantham and Wisbech, he returned to Boston in 2004 when the company opened its current store in Lister Way.

He was appointed as community champion for the store in 2011, ahead of the programme's official launch in 2012.

He said: “I've had a fantastic time with Asda, and these years spent with our community programme have definitely been some of the best.

“Whether I'm making up and delivering hundreds of emergency care packs to families affected by the 2013 tidal surge, working closely with the council to provide nappies, baby milk formula, duvets and two pallets of microwaves to residents who had lost all their essentials, or if I'm working with one person who received an Asda Foundation Emergency Grant after a house fire who was so grateful to, in her words, just have some clean knickers and be able to brush her teeth, I know that the Asda Foundation is keen to transform communities and improve lives and support the work I do.

“It's not always about the money though, at Asda we're also known for getting out in the community, rolling up our sleeves, getting involved, helping others and trying to make Boston a better place – really just trying to be a good neighbour where we can.”

In addition to Boston, Grantham and Wisbech, Stephen has also spent time in the US through Asda.

While based at Grantham, he was given the chance to travel to Arkansas for a week-long event celebrating workers, customers and brands with concerts and activities, by the company's owners at the time, Walmart.

He said: “I've had some great times during my 30 years with Asda – I've met their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, danced with Peter Andre, and I've even been given an award by the Boston Standard.

“But nothing beats the feeling of local people recognising the Asda logo on my uniform and then proceeding to tell me about how we transformed their local village hall, delivered a lesson at their grandchild's school or gave an Asda Foundation grant to a local charity that's dear to their heart.”

In total, there are four Asda Boston colleagues taking on the 30 miles for 30 years challenge to raise funds for the breast cancer partnership: