Source: University of Otago
Students Maddy, Charlotte, Vikki, and Sarah (left to right)
Otago Business School students joined together to raise awareness and funds for the Breast Cancer Foundation by hosting an online ‘pop-up shop’ for recycled clothing called “Fashion with a Passion”.
Maia Reid, Charlotte Finer, Maddy Gordon, Vikki Derik-Westaway, Anna Steele and Sarah Haden came up with the idea as part of their Department of Tourism ‘Event Management’ paper, wanting to show support for a cause close to their hearts.
“Not only did our event strongly support the Breast Cancer Foundation, but we were able to simultaneously promote sustainable clothing consumption and all of our unsold clothing was donated to the New Zealand Red Cross charity at the end of our event,” Maia says.
“After an exciting and successful week of clothing sales and donations, we concluded our event having raised more than $1,500 for the Breast Cancer Foundation; a result we were immensely proud of.”
She goes on to share how they had to adapt their event to suit ever-changing COVID-19 restrictions, which served as both a learning curve for the team but also resulted in a positive outcome for their campaign.
Students raised funds for the Breast Cancer Foundation by hosting an online ‘pop-up shop’ for recycled clothing.
The team also acknowledges they could not have achieved this without the support of Dr Willem Coetzee and Rajesh Nautiyal, their tutors, whose teaching style gave them the freedom and encouragement to follow through with their passion and not limit their goals.
“As a group, we felt that breast cancer was not often addressed among young females such as ourselves, despite early detection and education playing a large role in saving lives, and so we were glad this project gave us the amazing opportunity to meet new people and form great friendships,” Maia says.
Written by Otago Business School Communications Adviser Kelsey Schutte.
