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Girls Aloud reunite for Primark collab to raise breast cancer research funds and honour late Sarah Harding's wish

Girls Aloud collaborate with Primark to raise money for vital breast cancer research in memory of Sarah Harding. (Georgia Davey-Smith for Primark)
Girls Aloud collaborate with Primark to raise money for vital breast cancer research in memory of Sarah Harding. (Georgia Davey-Smith for Primark)

Girls Aloud have come together to model a new Primark capsule nightwear collection to help raise money for breast cancer research and honour the late Sarah Harding's wish, who died last September at 39 years old.

Cheryl, 39, posted a series of images, featuring her alongside fellow bandmates Nadine Coyle, 37, Nicola Roberts, 36, and Kimberley Walsh, 40, posing together and individually wearing the pyjamas and nightshirts (dressed up with sheer tights and heels) they designed alongside Harry Lambert.

The pop star announced the funds would be split equally between two cancer charities.

Read more: How to check for breast cancer symptoms and detect the condition early

Georgia Davey-Smith for Primark<br/>Conditions of use:<br/>This image is strictly to be used for PR purposes related to the pictured Primark product ONLY. This image MUST be credited in full as per the metadata.<br/>This image is provided for use by Primark and has no syndication rights unless prior approval is sought from Primark, this includes re-selling or giving use to any third party or company.<br/>This image may only be used for the duration the products are on sale and MUST NOT be archived for future use.<br/>This image can only be used until 06/11/2022 and cannot be used after this date.
'Before Sarah passed away, we promised her we would fulfil her wish of raising money for vital research,' said Cheryl. (Georgia Davey-Smith for Primark)

Cheryl captioned the Instagram post, echoing her official statement, "Before Sarah passed away, we promised her we would fulfil her wish of raising money for vital research to help determine young women between the ages of 29 and 40 who could be at risk of breast cancer with no genetic history.

"These pyjamas with @primark will raise a significant amount of money to help us achieve our promise to her."

She added, "ALL proceeds raised will be split equally between The Christie Charitable Trust and Cancer Research UK."

The money will help fund a research project by Dr Sacha Howell, Harding's doctor at The Christie, the specialist cancer centre in Manchester where she was treated. This will explore how women like her, who don't fall into the 'at risk' category, can be better identified, and have their cancer detected earlier when treatment is more likely to be successful.

Fans showed their support, commenting on Cheryl's post, "Thank you so much for doing these they are beautiful xx", "I do love a new pair of PJ’s, and what a reason to purchase these!", "I’ll guarantee mine!", as well as, "These are perfect for strictly night" and "I think I need these for Christmas."

One fan also asked, "Is there a mens range too? [sic] There are millions of men that would support this charity if we could buy PJs for ourselves too, in a show of unity for all the ladies in our lives. Great idea though and I’ll get some for my Mrs."

Read more: The different types of breast cancers as 'Dear Deidre' Sanders shares diagnosis

Georgia Davey-Smith for Primark<br/>Conditions of use:<br/>This image is strictly to be used for PR purposes related to the pictured Primark product ONLY. This image MUST be credited in full as per the metadata.<br/>This image is provided for use by Primark and has no syndication rights unless prior approval is sought from Primark, this includes re-selling or giving use to any third party or company.<br/>This image may only be used for the duration the products are on sale and MUST NOT be archived for future use.<br/>This image can only be used until 06/11/2022 and cannot be used after this date.<br/>
'We miss Sarah every day and we’ve come together to support this crucial cause,' said Nadine Coyle. (Georgia Davey-Smith for Primark)

Meanwhile, Coyle also said as part of the collaboration, "We’re grateful to Primark for this opportunity and for all the money they will be donating in Sarah’s name. Sarah would have loved this nightwear range so much and we hope the Girls Aloud fans will too. We miss Sarah every day and we’ve come together to support this crucial cause because it will always be something close to all of our hearts.”

Funds will be given to the cancer charities with a minimum commitment of £500,000, according to Primark.

Coyle also took to Instagram to share the news, with Adele Roberts, who revealed in June she was free of bowel cancer again, commenting, "Love this!! We must purchase, tagging her partner Kate Holderness.

Fans also commented, "She would be so so proud of you all, as all us fans are beyond proud of all the work you girls continue to do for our Sarah and to raise awareness."

Georgia Davey-Smith for Primark<br/>Conditions of use:<br/>This image is strictly to be used for PR purposes related to the pictured Primark product ONLY. This image MUST be credited in full as per the metadata.<br/>This image is provided for use by Primark and has no syndication rights unless prior approval is sought from Primark, this includes re-selling or giving use to any third party or company.<br/>This image may only be used for the duration the products are on sale and MUST NOT be archived for future use.<br/>This image can only be used until 06/11/2022 and cannot be used after this date.<br/>
'It feels really emotional the four of us coming together to honour Sarah,' said Kimberley Walsh. (Georgia Davey-Smith for Primark)

Walsh (or 'Scott' now), also said of the collaboration, “It feels really emotional the four of us coming together to honour Sarah’s fundraising wishes. We really hope we can do her proud and raise as much money as possible. As well as raising funds, Cheryl, Nadine, Nicola and myself will continue to do everything we can to help raise awareness and encourage people to speak to their doctor if they spot something unusual.”

Roberts added, “The overwhelming donation from Primark has meant we are well on our way to achieving our promise to Sarah. We feel a sense of responsibility to honour her wish to raise money that could prevent other women finding themselves in the terrifying situation she was in.

"To take on this baton is nothing short of a privilege. We really hope everyone loves the nightwear collection and will join us in raising as much money as possible.”

Read more: Sarah Beeny, Olivia Newton-John and celebs who have shared their breast cancer story

Georgia Davey-Smith for Primark<br/>Conditions of use:<br/>This image is strictly to be used for PR purposes related to the pictured Primark product ONLY. This image MUST be credited in full as per the metadata.<br/>This image is provided for use by Primark and has no syndication rights unless prior approval is sought from Primark, this includes re-selling or giving use to any third party or company.<br/>This image may only be used for the duration the products are on sale and MUST NOT be archived for future use.<br/>This image can only be used until 06/11/2022 and cannot be used after this date.<br/>
Nicola Roberts feels a sense of responsibility to honour Sarah Harding's wish and prevent others being in the same situation she was. (Georgia Davey-Smith for Primark)

Speaking on the importance of cancer research before her death, Sarah poignantly said, “Research is incredibly important in the fight against cancer. My doctor Sacha Howell at The Christie is currently working on a crucial new project. It looks at women in my age group who have no family history of cancer and how the risk of these women getting cancer can be identified and tackled early.

"This project is incredibly close to my heart as it may help women like me in the future. Research is the only way we will ever have a future without cancer.”

Dr Sacha Howell says: “Sarah spoke to me many times about breast cancer research and was keen for more to be done to find out why some young women are diagnosed when they have no other family members affected by the disease. We want to find out why young women in their 30s like Sarah might develop breast cancer so we can more accurately identify people with a higher risk and improve their chances of survival.”

Cheryl, Coyle and Roberts reunited earlier this year to take part in the Race for Life in London to raise money for breast cancer. Girls Aloud are due to host the charity gala The Primrose Ball in the capital on 8 October, to also raise money in honour of Harding.

The new pyjamas made of sustainable cotton will be available in all UK and Republic of Ireland stores from Wednesday 5 October and sizes will range from XS to XL at a price point of £14/€16 and £18/€20. In Ireland, 50% of the sales from these products will go to the Irish Cancer Society

The partnership is part of Primark's wider Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, in which it is giving a total of £750,000 to support selected cancer charities across Europe, the UK and U.S.

In addition, UK customers in the UK and Ireland will be able to donate to at the tills from 5 -19 October.

Watch: Girls Aloud say it wouldn't 'feel right' to perform at Sarah Harding's charity gala