Tickets selling fast for Shine City Choose Life event

Choose Life mistresses of ceremonies Heidi Barnett (left) and Wendy Larsen. Photo/Gail Imhoff

Tickets are selling fast for the Shine City Choose Life event at Frank Bar & Eatery on Thursday night.

The fundraising event will include live music, a mini market, an auction, spot prizes, drinks and dessert.

The women of Shine City Whanganui have been planning the event for six months and say the funds raised will provide valuable support for their esteem programmes.

Choose Life is a reference to Whanganui suicide statistics and the need to take affirmative action by promoting mental and emotional health through self-development programmes.

"We are solely dependent on grants and fundraising so it is wonderful that Whanganui business and individuals are supporting this event," says Kylie Martin.

The event is being sponsored by Gilmore Homes and Builders, Mike Smith Plastering, Frank Bar & Eatery and Lamp Studios.

Other local businesses have donated auction items and spot prizes which include travel and accommodation, original art and bespoke jewellery as well as vouchers for a range of goods and services.

Shine City is a community organisation that delivers group mentoring and self-development programmes to the Whanganui community, to encourage and assist individuals to reach their potential.

Inspired by a women's conference in 2011, the group first launched the ShineGirl self-development programme for intermediate aged girls in Whanganui.

"Over 500 Whanganui girls have completed our programmes now and we also run Shine Women and the Strength programmes for boys," says Heidi Barnett.

"They have a ripple effect in the community for families and friends as we encourage participants to help others reach their potential as well."

Barnett and Wendy Larsen will be emcees for the Choose Life event and they will be kitted out in some steampunk creations by costume designer Lee Williams.

Williams will join the evening's showcase performances with a presentation on costume design and there will be musical performances from One Trick Pony, Nigel Irwin, The Zodiacs, Appassionata, Mia and Leilani, Gabrielle O'Connell and Whanganui drums.

Black Agnes Jewellery artist Christine Imlay will also give a presentation and David Cotton will perform as auctioneer.

A $20 entry ticket also entitles the bearer to a drink and dessert with the option to buy a meal for $10.

Choose Life: Frank Bar & Eatery, 7pm Thursday, November 1. Doors open from 5pm . Tickets available from Mint Cafe or limited sales at the door.