Purple porcelain is being used by a Whangarei team in an effort to flush out cancer.
Relay for Life team Allure have been circulating a purple toilet around Whangarei businesses - which then have the options of paying $15 to get it taken away, $25 to have it transferred to another business, or $35 insurance so it never comes back.
So far the innovative idea has raised more than $2400 in the space of only two weeks, already smashing the team's original fundraising goal of $2000 for the Relay for Life cause.
"The original goal was $2000, which we upped to $3000, and now we've upped to $4000," co-captain Frances Keogh said.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.It means the team - comprised of 12 of Mrs Keogh's family and friends - is sitting at the top of the Relay for Life fundraising podium out of 30 other teams.
"Every single team member has lost a family member to cancer, so it's important to all of us," she said.
Mrs Keogh's grandmother died of liver cancer, and her mother - Team Allure co-captain Wendy Bell - beat cancer twice.
"I decide to join Relay for Life because cancer has affected my family in a huge way over the years," Mrs Keogh said.
Mrs Bell had a malignant melanoma removed from her leg as a young adult. Then in 1998, a lump in her neck turned out to be thyroid cancer. She had her lymph nodes removed, as well as radiotherapy, and has been in remission ever since.
So fundraising for the Cancer Society is something close to her heart, despite not having much to do with the organisation on her personal cancer journey.
"I think the Cancer Society is amazing. It would be a really hard job working for them and staying positive," Mrs Bell said.
"I am looking forward to our team being able to help make a difference."
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.Relay teams fundraise up to and over the 24 hour weekend walking event - which is this year being held on March 14 and 15 at the ASB Sports Arena in Kensington.
Mrs Keogh, owner of Whangarei business Allure Weddings, got the idea from website Pinterest after Relay teams in the United States did similar fundraisers. She said so far it has been well received by businesses in Whangarei.
"Most people laugh, initially they look a bit confused."
The team brought the toilet along to the Tikipunga markets over the weekend and managed to raise $430. Cancer Society Northland manager Margaret Curry has applauded the team for the idea, saying she has never seen anything quite like it.
For more information, or to register a team, visit www.relay.org.nz.
