Sweatband Group, Europe's leading online retailer, and Against Breast Cancer (ABC) have announced that they are working together to create awareness of breast cancer and raise funds for ABC's research by launching an online cricket auction this summer.

The online cricket auction was kicked off on Friday, 6 July running until 31 August. Sweatband hopes to raise at least £3,000 for Against Breast Cancer. In keeping with the spirit of its motto, `Active Sport', Sweatband will be auctioning signed celebrity-autographed cricket items including signed official cricket apparel; signed cricket bats and signed cricket memorabilia to coincide with The Ashes. Each of the auction items will be up for bidding over a period of two months and is accompanied by a framed certificate for authenticity. Bidders and browsers will be able to access the site at www.sweatband.com/sweatband/memorabilia.

Against Breast Cancer is a non-profit organisation dedicated to raising awareness of breast cancer and raise funds for research. Established in 1993, Against Breast Cancer receives no government funding and is completely dependent on its supporters to raise the money necessary to maintain its research.

Patricia Leathem, Director of Against Breast Cancer said: "We are thrilled that Sweatband has demonstrated its support for our cause. Together, we can reach out to a wider audience of active female sports enthusiasts to help promote breast cancer awareness and raise funds in an entertaining atmosphere."

Sweatband (www.sweatband.com) is a multi-channel sports retail and marketing group dedicated to providing competitively priced sporting equipment for the active sports enthusiasts and has always been an avid supporter of sports charities. Last year, Sweatband launched a successful online Wimbledon auction that sold the umpire's chair and net from the men's singles and signed tennis rackets as well as other tennis memorabilia to raise about £3,000. All proceeds of the Wimbledon online auction went to the Dan Maskell Fund, a charity set up by the late Wimbledon commentator to support disabled and disadvantaged tennis players.

Paul Sherratt, Marketing Director of Sweatband Group said: "We are extremely proud to be working with Against Breast Cancer. As a sports retailer, we want to increase breast cancer awareness among our active female sports enthusiasts and at the same time raise research funds. We are delighted we can give something back to the community."

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