South African women strip off for worthy cause

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Fiona McRae

When the women of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape get down to the bare essentials in an eye-catching Guinness World Record attempt on 23 October, they will be showing not only oodles of flesh but also a collective spirit of caring.

The Nashua Largest Ever Bikini Photo Shoot world record attempt will be raising money for the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) and the organisers are hoping that at least 2 000 women will turn up and strip down for this very worthy cause, in what will be the city’s highlight of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The current bikini photo shoot world record of 1 923 participants was set in the Russian seaside resort of Sochi in July 2008.

The title sponsor of this year’s South African attempt, office automation company Nashua, is already well known for its celebration of feminine figures, through its sponsorship of Sports Illustrated magazine’s swimwear edition.

When approached by organisers Club 100 for Ladies, Nashua Port Elizabeth MD Peter Hearne did not hesitate to pledge his company’s support to the event.

“Everyone has probably had some sort of personal experience with the scourge of cancer, and I’m no exception,” he says.

His sentiment is borne out by Cansa statistics showing that one in four South Africans is likely to be affected by the illness at some stage in their lives. Cansa is a national organisation with seven provincial and more than 30 regional offices. In operation since 1931, it ranks among the world’s largest volunteer organisations.

The fundraising initiative has also received the support of local telecommunications company Nashua Mobile, which has provided smartphones to allow the organisers of the fun event to get their serious message across.

“Cancer touches just about everybody in South Africa at some point in their lives,” says Nashua Mobile’s general manager Edwin Fichardt. “But with the country facing so many social challenges, like HIV/Aids, poverty, hunger and lack of education - all of which deserve attention and awareness - it is easy for the disease to slip under the radar, hence the importance of initiatives such as this.”

MEDIA CONTACTS
• Coetzee Gouws
Full Stop Communications
+27 82 575 7991
• Laurence Finn
Club 100 for Ladies
+27 84 507 3175