New tilt at bra record

The "bra fence" established at Cardrona by businessman John Lee was popular with tourists until its removal was ordered four years ago by the Queenstown Lakes District Council. Mr Lee, who maintained the fence, is pictured trying a bra given to him in appreciation of the bra fence raising money for Cure Kids. Many of the 1500 bras stripped from the fence were used in a Wanaka attempt at the world's longest bra chain. Photo by ODT files.

The attempt, which is also a breast cancer awareness promotion, is being organised by Dargaville guide leader Robyn Martinovich.

The Wanaka Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon Appeal and bra collection co-ordinator is Judy Young, who said the garments can be dropped off at Sassy Pants in Spencer House or people could contact her to pick them up.

Arthur Barnetts store in Dunedin is also collecting on behalf of GirlGuiding NZ.

Australia holds the bra chain record of 166,000 bras, according to the Guinness World Records.

An attempt to create the world's longest bra chain at Wanakafest in 2006 raised a total of $10,424 for the Breast Cancer Research Trust but fell well short of the record.

Organisers collected 7485 bras and attached them to a fence to make a 4904m bra chain.

Many of the garments came from John Lee's notorious and now abolished bra fence at Cardrona.

GirlGuiding New Zealand marketing and advocacy manager Jane Smithson said in a recent media release any quality bra would be accepted for the chain but only the highest quality garments would be selected from the chain to give to women in Africa, Haiti, the Pacific Islands and other countries.

Friday, October 8 is the New Zealand Breast Cancer Pink Ribbon Appeal Day and for the seventh year in a row, collectors dressed in pink will be seeking donations inWanaka.

Mrs Young is seeking volunteers to help with the collection.