Cancer Society’s second-hand success: recycled, revamped, renewed

An event created to bring fashion, fundraising, and fun together was a second-hand success at the Waikato/ Bay of Plenty Cancer Society Recycle Runway on Saturday.

The more than  200 women who attended the event helped  raise in excess of  $9500.

Fundraising manager Catriona Findlay said the event included a Mavis & Co breakfast, a runway show, a pop-up shop, a silent auction, and dressing rooms.

“The team was thrilled to see so many ladies having a great time at the event on Saturday,” Findlay said.

Stu from The Breeze carried the event well, often joking he was the only male in the room.

 The Cancer Society does not receive any government funding, event organiser  Alison Duncan said.

“… We simply couldn’t provide the free services and do the work we do for those people out there who need it without the help of the fabulous volunteers.”

Duncan thanked everyone who donated clothing for the runway show which was the highlight of the event.

A 20-minute show the parade featured 11 volunteer models who strutted their stuff around the Cancer Society Lions Lodge. The models showcased the 33 outfits included in the silent auction. Stu introduced each model, explained their outfits, and what event they would be suitable for. 

Findlay said community generosity had made the event a success.

“As always, we’ve been blown away by the generosity of our community – not only those people who came along on the day, but also everyone who donated or sponsored goods and volunteered their time to help out.”

Findlay said the  Cancer Society is looking at holding a similar event in Tauranga or Rotorua as well as returning it to Hamilton.