They came, they lurched and they raised more than $2500 for the Brain Injury Association.
Rotorua's inaugural Zombie Walk was hailed a success with 200 people dressing up as the living dead and walking through the night market and the city centre.
Organiser and Ngongotaha DVD shop owner Layla Robinson said the Thursday night event was enjoyed by onlookers and those who took part. A total of $1200 was raised through registration fees and about $1300 was collected in buckets.
"It was awesome, everyone really went to a lot of effort to look the part and they stayed in character the whole night.
"Heaps of people loved it and we had so many tourists taking pictures and asking us what it was about. There was about 50 who did the Thriller dance."
National chairman of the Brain Injury Association John Clough travelled from Auckland to take part. He described the walk as "brilliant". He joined several others in carrying a bucket for the Rotorua branch.
"The target group involved on the night were predominantly young people and they are the most at risk of brain injury through car crashes and sporting injuries," Mr Clough said. "It looked fantastic and people in Rotorua are much more generous than in Auckland. I could hardly carry the bucket it was so heavy from donations."
Controversy surrounded the lead-up after complaints were made that the event was offensive to those with brain injuries.
"I saw a report from Malaysia so it's gone right around the world," Mr Clough said. "It's great for us because all it's doing is spreading the message.
He said the national association supported the walk to help raise awareness, to raise money and because the event would appeal to their biggest at-risk group, which was young men aged 15-25.
"We've been banging away since 1996 and we've never had this amount of awareness before. I think the people that have come out complaining should come up with a better fundraising idea themselves."
Mr Clough was hoping to repeat the success with a Zombie Walk at the Hampton Downs racetrack during one of the races as motor vehicles were the biggest cause of brain injuries. Ms Robinson hopes for another Zombie Walk next year.
"I feel a bit deflated now that it's over because it was so much fun. I don't think I'll be the main organiser next time but I'll definitely be keen to help out. Timewise I've basically ignored my shop for the last month but I'd still love to be part of the next walk."
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