Jan McLean Dolls

Wow!  Good on you Dunedin !  What a fantastic evening of bubbling pink champers, balloons and ribbons at the launch last Thursday of the Arnott’s Pink Tim Tam Breast Cancer fundraiser.  Hosted by local businesswoman, Jan McLean, the event saw the foyer of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery flowing with a buzz of people enjoying an evening of hot auction items, fantastic raffles and a gorgeous lingerie fashion show. 

Through the deep and generous pockets of invited guests, the evening was an overwhelming success raising NZ$15,000 towards the Breast Cancer Aotearoa Coalition (BCAC)  ‘My Journey Kits’ for woman with breast cancer.   The event was supported by the launch of Arnott’s Tim Tam Pink biscuits – a limited edition strawberry cream and fudge-filled Tim Tam.   Every pack sold throughout  October, 10 cents will be donated to the BCAC representing twenty-three of New Zealand’s breast cancer related organisations. The aim of the Dunedin launch was to raise awareness of the Tim Tam Pink Tea Parties – a campaign to encourage communities to come together, have fun and raise money. Breast cancer survivor Jane Bissell, from BCAC, gave an inspirational speech about her own personal fight against breast cancer. Jane was totally overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and generosity of the local businesses and people attending.

 The Dunedin event attracted a crowd of about 180 who mingled whilst sipping pink champagne and delicious berry juices courtesy of Reload Salad & Juice Bar.

Many thanks must also go out to the Dunedin Public Art Gallery for providing such a fantastic venue. Also thanks to the many very generous local businesses who made the night such a success by donating a number of high value items for the auction including a limited edition porcelain doll from the Jan McLean collection; mystery-adventure corporate dinner for 8; accommodation in Wanaka in Hyde Hotel; total woman’s make-over package; designer coat by Donna Tulloch of Mild Red; jewellery; furniture; artwork as well as a signed Tall Ferns player’s shirt and many other fantastic items.   The auctioneer, Ray Keane, along with the help of Ngaire Sutherland did a wonderful job by exciting the crowd and challenging them to outbid each other.

Thanks to the wonderful staff of Arthur Barnett’s, the crowd was dazzled by an underwear show of gorgeous local ladies showing off the latest range sexy bras.  We were then treated to a heart stopping modelling of men’s underwear by the presence of Otago Highland Warrior, Warwick Diack and Lockie, two very brave but good looking men.   There was a buzz in the air and shrieks as the men strutted down the stairs in their kilts to reveal stunning sexy underwear and then mingled in the crowd.  Definitely not for the faint hearted. 

 Through out the evening exciting things were happening with a surprise visit from the Tall Ferns who offered for auction a signed shirt. 

There were some wonderful raffles, delicious food courtesy of Bede Beaumont Catering and a constant flow of pink champers and Reload (7 Frederick St) berry juices.  Special thanks to everyone who came along and helped make this event such a great success – It would not have been possible without your support.  

Tim Tams is also inviting people to register to host a Tea Party themselves. The first 1,000 people who register at www.breastcancer.org.nz/timtam will be sent a Tim Tam Pink Party kit full of advice and tools to help them throw their party. Arnott’s aim is to raise $30,000 for BCAC from this campaign.  The proceeds will be used to develop a NZ ‘My Journey Kit’ that will be available free of charge to NZ women diagnosed with breast cancer. This kit will provide information and support resources which are currently not available in one, easy to access pack to help women through their cancer journey.