Wednesday 4 February 2015

Media release – for immediate use

Unique Charity Fundraiser Returns for 2015

Local men occupy retailer windows in support of local causes

The news that February will see the return of the unique Mr Whanganui charity fundraiser is sure to put a smile on many women’s faces. This year’s event has been brought forward from Easter to Friday 27 February to take advantage of the warm summer evenings and coincide with the La Fiesta Festival. Organisers Mainstreet Wanganui have also added a new element to the evening, the delicious serenades, local musicians will roam the local restaurants and eateries entertaining patrons with songs inspired by women in their lives. All this activity will be taking place throughout the CBD between 6pm and 8.30pm and all in the name of a variety of local charities.

Here’s a reminder of how the evening works: on the night you will be able to purchase ‘Mr Whanganui Money’ from stands at the corner of Victoria and Ridgway, Majestic Square and Guyton and Victoria. Then you can head off around the CBD to check out all the men standing in shop windows, each one representing a different charity. Vote for your favourite by giving them your Mr Whanganui Money. At the end of the night all those bills will be exchanged for real cash money and donated to each man’s chosen charity plus the man with the most bills will be crowned ‘Mr Whanganui 2015.’ On top of all that Mainstreet Wanganui has contributed a further $1000 to the fundraising cause, the man with the most bills will win a further $500 for his charity, the runner up a further $300 and the third place getter a further $200.

Last year $9700 was raised in just three hours for 30 different local charities, this year organisers hope to raise even more. “Mr Whanganui’s inaugural event last year was so popular it was an easy decision to do it again,” says Mainstreet Marketing Manager Elise Goodge. “It was a lot of fun and the guys got quite competitive, it will be really interesting to see who Mr Whanganui 2015 is going to be.”

Mainstreet Wanganui has already had a number of men volunteer to go in windows and has been contacted by a number of local charities but they still need more so if you would like to participate and raise money for an organisation you support you can contact Kirsty Davidson at Etcetera Fashion and Bridal on 348 2003 or email kirsty.davidson@xtra.co.nz to volunteer.

The Mr Whanganui Charity Fundraiser

When: Friday 27 February

Where: Wanganui CBD

Time: 6pm-8.30pm

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