YWCA are Fairy Godmothers, Helping Young Women Become Cinderella for a Night

Many young women across Wellington spend a huge amount of money on their school or university ball or graduation ceremony – their ‘one night’ Cinderella experience.  

YWCA spokesperson Vanisa Dhiru says, “With ball season kicking in (and we all know how much a night out, let alone a ball/graduation is) the YWCA is holding pre-loved ‘Cinderella Sales’.  There are two sales – the first to be held on the 16 th June in Porirua at Pataka Museum and the second in Lower Hutt on the 30th June at The Dowse Art Museum”.

Newly appointed YWCA board member and Porirua resident Rachael Thwaites is collecting dresses in Porirua right now, “We need your dresses – all shapes, colours and sizes. If you or someone you know has a great dress or two in the back of their wardrobe, then donate it to be worn again!”

“I’m looking forward to the Porirua sale this Saturday 16 June, 11am-2pm - dresses will be priced between $25-45 each and evening bags will be sold at $10-15.  Only students with current secondary or tertiary ID will be able to try on and purchase items from the sale – it’s going to be a fun day for finding bargains and dressing up!”

The YWCA will coordinate volunteers for the set-up of the venue, the sale itself, the clean-up, and to help transport the dresses and bags to and from the venue. Volunteers from Eftpos New Zealand are helping this week to check all the donations and price the sale items.

Vanisa says, “The YWCA started this concept in 2011 with great success in the Hutt Valley, but we think Porirua young women can definitely benefit from our work. Any proceeds from the sale are put back directly into programmes and services of the YWCA – that includes alcohol / self defence programmes and career talks and mentoring group in participating schools around the Greater Wellington region”.

If you are interesting in donating a dress or sponsoring a rack, email cinderellasale@ywcawellington.org.nz or ring/text Rachael Thwaites on 027 894 9632 or Lydia O’Regan-Barnett on 021 705 998. Dresses can also be dropped off to the Pacific Business Trust on Level One, 20 Parumoana Street until Thursday 14 June.

The YWCA of Greater Wellington is an organisation which empowers and supports women to make positive life choices.  They run alcohol and self defence courses in schools and provide leadership opportunities for young women to experience good governance and management. www.ywcawellington.org.nz

ENDS

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