Last updated 14:15, Monday, 01 December 2008

TOUGH Astute submarine crew members and shipyard employees looked pretty in pink as they donned fancy dress for National Breast Cancer Awareness Day.

HELLO SAILORS: Pictured left to right are Able Seaman Chris Furness, Warrant Officer Coxswain John Hendren, Chief Petty Officer Craig Middleton, graduate Nicola Chattaway, Able Seaman Ricky Snowling, Able Seaman Jamie Ross and graduate Benjamin Scraggs submitted picture

Swapping their regulation Royal Navy uniform for pink shirts and pink wigs, five members of the ship’s company joined tutu-wearing graduates on a fund-raising tour of the Barrow site on Dare to Wear it Pink Day which raised £1,831.

Armed with collection tins, the team visited offices and workshops – generating a terrific response from employees.

Joe Sides, BAE Systems Submarine Solutions corporate responsibility manager, said: “This was a fantastic effort for what is an extremely worthy cause. On behalf of the company I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who donated money, to the clerks who helped coordinate the collections, and especially the crew members and graduates who collected the money – a great team effort.”

The crew members involved were Able Seaman Chris Furness, Warrant Officer Coxswain John Hendren, Chief Petty Officer Craig Middleton, Able Seaman Ricky Snowling, and Able Seaman Jamie Ross, while the two graduates were Benjamin Scraggs and Nicola Chattaway.

Money was also raised at BAE Systems Submarine Solutions’ site in Waterlooville, Hampshire.

Astute is currently undergoing testing and commissioning of the thousands of systems on board the vessel, which is recognised as one of the most complex engineering projects in the world.

She will leave Barrow next year for sea trials before going into service with the Royal Navy.