Zonta using fashion to help combat cancer

Zonta Club of Oamaru members are strutting their passion for fashion to help find a cure for cancer.

The club is hosting its first fashion parade with Preen since 2019 — due to a Covid-19 enforced hiatus — to raise funds for ovarian cancer on Tuesday.

Zonta Club of Oamaru fundraising co›ordinator Rebecca Koberstein said it was a fun›filled evening for people to enjoy themselves, watching eight club members parade in Preen’s new-season items.

But the event was about more than fashion as it aimed to raise awareness, and funds, for Cure Our Ovarian Cancer Foundation.

Club members were inspired by the work of Jane Ludemann, originally from North Otago, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2017.

‘‘What she has achieved since then is nothing short of amazing. Jane decided to fight for a better future and so the Cure Our Ovarian Cancer Foundation was founded in 2018,’’ Mrs Koberstein said.

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynaecological cancer death and affects four times as many woman as cervical cancer.

The event had been very popular in the past, receiving plenty of support, and gave the community an opportunity to see clothing on ‘‘ordinary-day models’’.

Mrs Koberstein said it was great to be working with Preen again, and she was grateful to owner Sophie Brader who was helping put on refreshments on arrival. There will also be ‘‘lucky ticket draws’’, raffles and a night filled with fun at the Thames St shop.

The parade starts at 7pm on Tuesday. Tickets are $20 and are available from Preen or Rebecca Koberstein on 027 216-2899.