Close friends Kate Lilley, Tash Bambry, Beth Chisholm, Willow Macdonald, Leigh Carter and Sarah Morton and their families put the call out for donations of good quality second-hand clothing for their Fashion Fundraiser - Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal event, and have been overwhelmed by the response.
‘‘We felt compelled to try and do something to help,’’ Ms Lilley said.
‘‘Obviously other people do as well, because we have had so much donated it’s incredible,’’ Ms Lilley said.
The fundraising fashion sale will be held this Sunday from 11am to 4.30pm at Kaikorai Rugby Football Club, 25 Lynn St. All proceeds will go to the Red Cross Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal.
Ms Lilley said the organisers, their partners and children had been flat out dealing with the mountain of donated clothing and other goods, which included women’s and men’s clothing of all sizes, a selection of new designer garments, and items for raffles.
Raffle items include two Airbnb packages alongside Hyundai vehicles to use, a $200 voucher donated by Emerson’s and vouchers from local restaurants.
A donated 1997 All Blacks jersey would be auctioned online.
Most of the items were collected at the organisers’ homes and workplaces as well as their children’s schools.
Other materials had been sent from out of town.
‘‘We have high end local designer garments that have been donated, including brand new items from Mild Red, and a shop in Balclutha gave us 500 items to sell.
‘‘It has gained so much momentum.
‘‘We think people have grabbed on to it because it is a way for them to help.’’
The organisers plan to cap the prices at $100 for the highest value items and there were many cheaper fashion bargains available.
‘‘It is all donated, so any money we can get will be a bonus.’’
Ms Lilley paid tribute to the community for its generosity in getting behind the fashion fundraiser and helping to create a great event.
‘‘Now we just need to get lots of people along on the day to pick up bargains and help us to support the people of the North Island, who really need our help,’’ she said.
BRENDA.HARWOOD @thestar.co.nz
