Whangarei people wanting to support the search for a cure for breast cancer might prefer a more sartorial approach than having their head shaved - or at least that's what one of New Zealand's top fashionistas is counting on.
Kiwi designers, including Breast Cancer Cure ambassador Trelise Cooper, and other fashion, hair care and beauty industry insiders are joining forces to support New Zealand's only not-for-profit organisation established solely to support research into breast cancer.
Addiction Hair owner Leanne Yendell-Ross has put her Whangarei salon on the front line of the war against the disease by organising The Gigantic Garage Sale to be held on Saturday morning in the vacant shop next to her Rathbone St hair salon.
"We were really pleased to do something for this charity especially. We work with women, we've all got daughters and mothers, it's really important that we help fight this disease that mainly affects women," Ms Yendell-Ross said.
New Zealand has one of the highest rates of incidence and the third highest death rate from breast cancer in the Western world, she says.
The call is out for people to help the charity's awareness and fundraising drive by donating good quality household goods, clothes and other saleable things that could do with a new home.
"We've been asking our clients to donate sellable goods but we need more and we're hoping the public will get behind this," Ms Yendell-Ross said. "People love garage sales so we hope this one will attract lots of interest as it is for such a good cause. It's on election day so we're also hoping there'll be plenty of people out and about who'll also want to pop in."
The sale will be on from "7am until sold-out". Addiction staff are making it easy for donors to drop off goods, hassle-free. "Phone us before delivery and we will meet you in our rear carpark. It's as easy as that."