Football heroes to hit catwalk for Red Cross

New Zealand Red Cross East Coast Programmes co-ordinator Karla Lee with Napier City Rovers players at Park Island, in preparation for a Runway Red Cross fashion show next month. Photo / Warren Buckland

Hunky men and nurses' uniforms should get your attention.

Last year Magpies players had a hand in making the annual Runway Red Cross fashion show successful, and now Napier City Rovers will strut their stuff as models at Napier War Memorial Centre on Saturday September 12.

"We have had the top teams -- last year it was the Magpies who did extremely well to win the Ranfurly Shield, and now the soccer boys who are at the top of their leader board. There must be something in it," New Zealand Red Cross East Coast programmes co-ordinator Karla Lee said.

It will be a double celebration, marking the organisation's 100th anniversary in New Zealand, while raising money for local youth programmes People Savers, Save-a-Mate (Sam) and Rise Up -- Tairawhiti.

After two sellout shows in Havelock North, Runway Red Cross has moved cities, but the same format remains -- models of all shapes, ages and sizes will showcase hand-picked items from Red Cross retail stores.

Five Rovers' will don outfits from Rodd & Gunn, and there will be a special segment featuring original nurses' uniforms. Showpiece garments from World War II have been collected throughout the region with two sent from Whangarei.

"Original VAD nurses' uniforms will be worn on the catwalk in memory of and respect for those who wore them in war time and volunteered their service to the cause.

"It's very special to us that we have been in New Zealand and active for 100 years. We wanted to recognise that."

People Savers runs a first-aid course for kids, while Sam focuses on teaching secondary students to help a friend in alcohol or drug-related emergency situations. Rise Up - Tairawhiti provides outdoor education for 10 to 12-year-olds and is organised by New Zealand Red Cross, alongside the Fire Service, police and army.

* Saturday 6.30pm, September 12 at Napier War Memorial Centre. Tickets are $20, available from Red Cross shops in Havelock North, Hastings, Napier, and TSB, Napier.