Things are going to be just rosy in Hastings, as a pink-themed fundraiser for the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation gets into full blush. Hastings City Marketing announced a charity cocktail party called Hot Pink, a fundraising event that aims to get the whole city in the pink for September. Hastings retailers planto sell pink ribbons and wrist bands and dress in pink on September 11, the day of the party. The Hastings District Council has planned a pink theme for the city gardens and the clock tower will be glowing with pink light. The party itself will feature 2009 rosé wines from regional wineries incuding Alpha Domus, Clearview Estate, CJ Pask, Unison, Bridge Pa, Askerne, Trinity Hill, Salvare and Dolbel Estate. Poet Penny Ashton will make a cameo appearance at the party. Actor, author and wedding celebrant Pinky Agnew will MC and Dish Catering will offer pink-themed canapes. Hastings City Marketing manager Natalie Stevens said it would become an annual charity event. It was part of a branding strategy to regenerate the heart of the city called Hastings Alive, "Shopping in the heart of Hawke's Bay". The strategy had already profiled the NZ Blood Bank and Surf Life Saving National Jandal Day. "Breast cancer is such an insidious disease and I doubt there are many whose lives haven't been profoundly affected by it," said Mrs Stevens. "It's fantastic knowing that our entire community from the council to retailers to wineries will get right behind this event. "This year we will provide a promotion opportunity for the Cranford Hospice Strawberry Festival." NZ Breast Cancer Foundation executive trustee Heather Shotter said such events were the "heart and soul" of fundraising to fight breast cancer. "All around the country a lot of people put in a lot of hard work but also have a lot of fun for a good cause. The generosity of New Zealanders never ceases to amaze and inspire me," she says. * Hot Pink will be held at the Hawke's Bay Opera House, Hastings from 6pm to 9pm. Tickets are on sale now and are available from TicketDirect (www.ticketdirect.co.nz 0800 4 TICKET). For more information, phone Hastings City Marketing events manager Jodine Hansen on (06) 876 9092 or email jodine@hastingscity.co.nz
