Tullamore woman who recovered from cancer wins €2,000 makeover

A Tullamore woman, who has had a tough few months after being diagnosed with cervical cancer in July, got the star treatment last Friday when she won a competition for a €2,000 makeover in Ireland's oldest department store. Sarah Coyne, a mother of two from Arden View, was treated to €1,500 worth of clothes and accessories picked out by a stylist, a make-over and a new hairstyle, at the official opening of the revamped Burgess Department Store on Church Street, Athlone last Friday. Burgess was also celebrating its 170th birthday on the day. Sarah was nominated by her mother Marie. "My mother nominated me for the competition which was first run on the radio because I've had a few tough months. I was diagnosed with the early stages of cervical cancer in July," explained Sarah to the Offaly Independent. "I'm feeling brilliant now, I'm all over it." However, she has now recovered and has finished all her treatment and is planning to enjoy her prize, now that she has her winter wardrobe sorted! "Myself and four other finalists were there last Friday. We had to pick out an outfit for one of the DJs and the two stylists who were judging the competition picked mine," she said. "It was a lovely prize to get and I was delighted. My mum was with me on the day and we were both over the moon when I was announced as the winner." Sarah said she really enjoyed the whole experience and that all the staff involved made her feel very special. "It was absolutely great to win it," she added. However the star treatment is not over yet, as Sarah will also get to appear on an RTÉ series early next year called "Retail Therapy" which will feature the revamp of Burgess and also the in-store celebrations last week.