METRONEWS
© New Zealand Broadcasting School 2024

by New Zealand Broadcasting School students

Fashion for a cause

Culture

Elizabeth Thomson
girls at the fashion show
Children at the fashion show  Elizabeth Thomson

The Ronald McDonald House fashion show is a successful event that has run for the last 10 years, and this year was the biggest yet.

The show, run by M Factor events, was held in the Tannery on Thursday. 

Event organiser, Maree Lucas, has been running the event for Ronald McDonald House for ten years, raising well over $500,000. 

Mandy Kennedy, CEO of Ronald McDonald House South Island, said this was 'a wonderful event,' for people to open their hearts to help others. 

Harcourts Gold offered up two auctioneers for the night, Mark O'Loughlin and Tim McGoldrick, who collectively raised over $75,000 for the charity, through auctioning off packages throughout the night.

Other big names such as Mediaworks, Cassels and Sons Brewing Co. and McCafe offered up support and free items to the event. 

Over 300 people attended the show that featured big names such as Crusaders, Codie Taylor and Scott Barrett, swimmer Sophie Pascoe, and real estate agent Mike Pero. 

 

Local and national designers offered up their time and clothes to the show including, Brides of Merivale, Repertoire, Kathryn Wilson and Escape Clothing Wanaka showcasing Trelise Cooper. 

Special guest and former Ronald Mcdonald House visitors, Stacey and her son Jackson, diagnosed with a disease so rare, he was the only person in New Zealand to have it.

Stacey said it was any parents 'worst nightmare,' to be told your child is sick and will need to stay in the hospital and is 'incredibly grateful,' for the support the charity offered her.  

Each night in the House costs $140 and can be a financial burden on struggling parents. 

Maree Lucas said she was grateful to 'all the generous people at the event,' and said it was a 'huge success.'

Lucas said 'the vibe of the crowd was infectious and raised awareness for the good cause.'

The final amount of money raised is yet to be calculated but is expected to be close to $80,000.