Within an hour, three tables of donated bras were quickly snapped up by women and girls at the ‘Free Bra Day’ event yesterday morning.

The spokesperson for the Cook Islands Breast Cancer Foundation (CIBCF) and the Cook Islands Family Welfare Association (CIFWA) Helen O’Meara said she was pleased to see a large number of ladies turn up to select a bra.

The Free Bra project started back in 2013, an initiative from former New Zealand High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, John Carter and the Curves Gym in Kerikeri, New Zealand.

“Without him (John Carter) we wouldn’t be here today, we thank him and all those who over the years have contributed and donated towards this project to assist women and girls,” said O’Meara.

Every year, Dallas Tonkin from Australia sends over a large bag of the lingerie for women in the Cook Islands.

Many departments also took the time and effort to decorate their offices in pink and with matching coloured balloons.

And hot off the printing machine yesterday morning was Fave Designs cool recyclable paper bags with pretty pink designs – you can get one at the store for only $1.

There are a small number of bras yet to be claimed. For those who are interested, they are welcome to pop into the CIFWA office (opposite the Tupapa Outpatients) this Saturday morning between 7am to 12pm during their garage sale and pick up a bargain.

On behalf of CIBCF and CIFWA, the women say, “We thank our beautiful community for supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”

Vodafone Cook Islands staff members Ine Akama and Salome Bates. 211021205

From left: The Cook Islands Family Welfare Association (CIFWA) team, Leilani Vano, Helen O’Meara, Sahara Lang, Rongo File and Polly Tongia. 21102207

Mary Young and Ayu Rusty. 21102208

Josie Kautai stood outside BSP Bank selling sausage sizzles in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 21102209

The Pink Ladies at Fave Designs, Hana Taiarui, Ana File, and Silveria Wulf and their specially printed recyclable paper bags. 21102210