Parading in pink at Port Waikato
The Port Waikato Community Hall is going pink again this year, for the sixth Port Waikato Pink Ribbon Breakfast.
Awaroa ki Tuakau councillor and Port local Jacqui Church started the event and has since seen it grow in popularity.
Last year the Pink Ribbon Breakfast helped raise around $7500 for the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.
Singer songwriter Jackie Clarke from The Lady Killers is headlining this year’s event.
Everyone involved with the breakfast has been volunteering as they are all very passionate about the event and even pay to attend, Church said. ‘‘That’s one of our things. ‘‘Even if you’re a volunteer you pay - you pay to come and work.
‘‘So I think that’s a really cool message, we’re just really committed to our process.’’
She said that the breakfast starts with a candle of remembrance and survival ceremony, however the breakfast also aims to be a little light-hearted.
‘‘It’s fun, most people get dressed up . . . especially the guys, we give them a pink tie to wear,’’ Church said.
‘‘It’s a commemoration and a fight against cancer and you just celebrate survivors, and put your best foot forward.
‘‘And one of the fun things we’ve had . . . is we have a fashion parade for the men.
‘‘Last year Tim van de Molen, who’s our MP for Waikato, he got dressed up and strutted his stuff at our Pink Breakfast, so he thoroughly enjoyed it.’’
Church said quite a lot of men come out to support the cause with over a third of the audience in attendance being men.
Church first started the event six years ago as she knew it would be a great way for the community to support one another, in something that has affected so many families in New Zealand.
‘‘I think Port Waikato has always had a really strong community spirit,’’ Church said.
‘‘And I think any reason for us to come together as people and different walks of life, has been a benefit.
‘‘It was a way for me to acknowledge something that’s dear to our hearts, because we’ve all had that experience.
‘‘My family, like every other family has had that happen, and that experience. ‘‘So that was really the start of it.’’ The Pink Breakfast will be on May 20 at 9am for $15 with 100 per cent of the funds going to the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.
Tickets are available at the Port Waikato Store or contact Robin Ranga on 09 232 9515 or Jacqui Church on 021 869 976.