Success depends on how you measure it!

3 December 2010

Success depends on how you measure it!

GirlGuiding New Zealand’s advocacy project for 2010 to raise awareness of breast cancer has been a wonderful success. While the world record for the longest bra chain hasn’t been broken yet, we have come very, very close and increased the awareness, detection and prevention of breast cancer among our members and their communities. And after all, it’s this community action that counts.

The Pink Star Challenge and the collection of bras to support the Dargaville Guides was a massive concerted effort with the colour ‘pink’ and ‘bras’ pretty much taking over lives!

The various disruptions, not least of which was the major September 4 earthquake and subsequent aftershocks, did not allow GirlGuiding NZ to reach the world –record breaking amount of 200,000 bras joined together in the longest bra chain by the 27 November deadline.

We got so close – with approximately 130,000 bras. Of course the last week of November saw a flurry of activity with people wanting to get their bras to us and will probably move us even closer to that magic number.

The support and commitment to help collect bras has been outstanding. The existing record of 166,000 bras, held by Australia, took three years so GirlGuiding is extremely proud of the amount collected in such a short period of time. We would never have got anywhere as close as we have without the huge show of community support from all across the country.

Huge numbers of girls have earned their Pink Star Challenge badge and are proudly wearing it on their sashes.

However, it is now time for GirlGuiding NZ to hand back the reins to the initiators of the world record attempt, the Dargaville Guides. The girls will continue to collect bras in an effort to break that tantalisingly close record.

From the end of November, Postie stores and Bendon Outlet stores are no longer collection points for bras from members of the public and the ‘freepost’ address is no longer available. However, please go to the website at www.brachain.co.nz for more information about how to help the Dargaville girls.

Once the record is achieved, GirlGuiding NZ will work with the Dargaville Guides to ensure that the best quality bras are sent to women in countries in need, as promised.

We have been thrilled with the support provided by our members and the local communities and we would like to acknowledge the wonderful spirit everyone has shown. Thank you.

ENDS

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