Cancer Research UK’s new tartan scarf, which is being produced in Selkirk, made an appearance in the House of Commons this week.
The team behind the project paid a visit to London to promote the scarf at Westminster and to meet with colleagues at Cancer Research’s HQ.
Speaking at Business Questions, local MP John Lamont paid tribute to the efforts of the Selkirk Committee in coming up with the idea. The Leader of the House, Andrea Leadsom MP described the scarf as “wonderful,” praised the work of the Selkirk Committee and even wore it in the chamber while answering questions from MPs.
The tartan scarf, which was officially launched only last month sold out of its initial order of 300 in six days, the second batch of 300 has already sold out. The idea for the scarf came from Elaine Monro from Cancer Research UK’s Selkirk Committee. The scarf is being produced by Lochcarron of Scotland’s Selkirk mill.
John Lamont MP said: “Given the amount of hard work Elaine and the team in Selkirk have put in, I was very pleased to be able to congratulate them publicly in the House of Commons while they were down.
“The Leader of the House was certainly impressed with the scarf and I hope the exposure it has received while in Westminster will mean it is taken on as a national fundraiser by Cancer Research UK.
“It’s a great reflection on the Borders to have this scarf produced locally and I’m sure that it will continue to be hugely popular and difficult to get hold of!”
Speaking in the Chamber, Leader of the House Andrea Leadsom MP said: “By sheer coincidence, this morning I decided to wear a pink jacket and when my hon friend presented me with one of these wonderful scarfs which Elaine and her colleagues have produced for Cancer Research, I was absolutely delighted to find that the chill in this chamber could be offset by something warm from Scotland.
Andrea Leadsom added: “And I’m absolutely delighted with the contribution of all of those volunteers to cancer research, having had family members suffer from this terrible disease myself. I think we should all celebrate the excellent work of volunteers.
Speaking afterwards, Elaine Monro said: “My fellow committee members and staff at CRUK, along with Lochcarron of Scotland have all been amazing during this project. It has been a steep learning curve as no one has ever done anything like this before.
“I am absolutely delighted with the way people have reacted to this project and it is great that the scarf is selling so quickly.
“l could never have dreamt that when l sat down for that first meeting that l would be in Westminster promoting the scarf and then heading to Cancer Research headquarters to hopefully discuss them taking the tartan on as a fundraiser which will hopefully raise not only much needed funds but increasing the profile of CRUK.”