Fundraiser focuses on mental health

Waiariki Institute of Technology pre-nursing students with Andre Narbey (in cap) are organising the mental health awareness fundraiser. Photo / Stephen Parker

A Rotorua man has organised a fundraiser to create awareness for a cause that "affects society as a whole".

Andre Narbey, with the help of Waiariki Institute of Technology pre-nursing students, is running the fundraiser, Recovery in Motion, tomorrow to raise awareness of mental health in New Zealand.

The national Mental Health Awareness Week finishes on Sunday and Mr Narbey wanted to do something for the Rotorua community.

"At the start of the week I realised nobody was doing anything for awareness week and I thought it was a really important cause that people in the community needed to be aware of.

"Mental health is something that affects society as a whole, not just individual people, so I organised this fundraiser in the hopes that it would get lots of people involved," he said.

Recovery in Motion will have live entertainment from DJ Masive, B-Boy Crew, and local acts, as well as activities, games, and raffles.

Although the fundraiser was Mr Narbey's "brainchild", he had sought help from local students to run it on the day.

"I went to Waiariki Institute of Technology to see if anybody wanted to be involved and some of the pre-nursing students volunteered. They will be taking care of the activities and raffles available throughout the day.

"Although it is a serious subject, the fundraiser is meant to be lighthearted and fun ..."

All proceeds go to the New Zealand Mental Health Foundation.

Recovery in Motion will be based at City Focus from 11am to 3pm tomorrow.

For more information contact Mr Narbey on (021) 185 6060 or narbeyentertainment@gmail.com