Breakfast for breast cancer

Drink-driver under assessment

A pre-work breakfast on Friday raised $150 for the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation. That was on top of the $361,162 already raised nationally.

The Porirua event is one of about 2271 breakfasts that have taken place this year.

About 15 people from around Porirua turned up for the recent breakfast. Ngawai Richardson, a breast- cancer survivor from Porirua, spoke about her experience of overcoming the odds, how her mother and cousins were also diagnosed, and what she did to rehabilitate.

Money raised from the morning went to the breast cancer foundation and will help fund research projects and medical grants aimed at improving the survivorship of breast cancer in New Zealand.

Lorraine Downes, a breast cancer foundation ambassador, said research was vital for better treatment to improve survival of this very complex cancer, and ultimately for prevention.

‘‘The foundation is funding several world- class projects right here in New Zealand – Pink Ribbon Breakfast is a great way to raise money for the cause.’’ Matamura Tua is awaiting a drug and alcohol assessment before being sentenced for driving while more than three times over the legal limit. On March 8, the Cannons Creek man was stopped by police in Warspite Ave and was found to be driving with a breath/alcohol reading of 893 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit is 250. Tua, 32, appeared in Porirua District Court last Tuesday and pleaded guilty to the drink-driving charge.

Judge Jan Kelly remanded him at large until an alcohol and drug assessment was completed.

Kelly said the assessment would determine the sentence. Tua returns to court on June 19.