Supermodel Elle in breast awareness push

Emily Beament

Ms Macpherson was in Dublin to promote the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer initiative which aims to raise money to fight breast cancer.

The Australian businesswoman, who has her own range of lingerie, modelled one of the specially-designed t-shirts for the official launch of the international campaign in Ireland.

"We're raising money about 250,000 and the money we raise from these t-shirts will go to the Irish Cancer Society and Europa Donna," she said.

The Irish Cancer Society, through its project Action Breast Cancer, provides information and support such as a national helpline, advice, breast-awareness presentations and advocacy.

Europa Donna Ireland is a voluntary organisation working for women and families in the country who are affected by breast cancer.

According to the Irish cancer society, there were 2,020 new cases of breast cancer in Ireland in 2001, of which 288 were in women under 45.

In addition there were 14 new cases of the cancer in men in 2001.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in Ireland and 671 women died of the disease in 2001, the charity said.

Ms Macpherson said that as a maker of lingerie, bras and breasts were important to her on a financial level, but the issue was also important on a "soul level."

She said money raised from the t-shirts would go towards research and awareness of breast cancer, and that the more awareness they could create about the disease the better.

"Whether you're tall or thin or fat or young or old, we can all fall victim to this disease, and if it's not us, it can be our mothers or sisters. I think the t-shirts are really cool, they look great," she added.

The model autographed t-shirts for shoppers in Brown Thomas on Grafton Street, where the two tops, priced 35 and 30, are being sold.

Other stores selling the Fashion Targets Breast Cancer t-shirt are Brown Thomas shops in Cork, Limerick and Galway as well as selected BT2 and A-wear shops.