Frocks On Friday season two rocks to the tune of $20k

The Frocks on Friday committee all glammed up at their season two-ending Frock It All Ball at the Dome. Back row (from left) are Jess O’Dwyer, Annie Cousins, Jo McLean, Stephanie Temple and Abi Douglas. Front: Skye Pomana, Krissy Mackintosh and Dedrie Hemingway. The $13,000 raised for Hear4U was added to $7000 from other events, with more to come. Picture supplied

Season two of Frocks On Friday drew to a close with a highly successful ball which raised $13,000.

The glam event at The Dome was the last opportunity for “frock stars” and guests to dress up, celebrate frock-wearing and raise money for the Hear4U men’s mental health awareness and suicide prevention charity, all while dancing the night away to songs and music performed by The Band With No Name.

The FOF season runs from November to March and gives frock stars the opportunity to celebrate, make connections and build friendships while supporting the kaupapa of mental health awareness.

A point of difference for season two was having the frocksters’ efforts acknowledged by Hear4U with funding for them to attend health-based workshops.

“Over 150 participants accessed the women-only workshops that were held throughout the season from various providers in the community,” FOF founder Jo McLean said.

“The workshops were well received and we so appreciate Krissy (Mackintosh) and the team at Hear4U giving back to the women who are supporting men’s mental health awareness.”

Events throughout the season had the dual purpose of bringing people together, with the opportunity to koha to the FOF on Friday bank account.

Highlights included Sip and Swap at which frock stars socialised while browsing through the frock swap rack at Tairāwhiti Environment Centre; a Friday evening polo match at Poverty Bay Polo Club’s Bushmere grounds; a lunch hosted by Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council and Bollywood Indian Restaurant; and the Frock It All Ball season finale.

“The donations have been tallied and the FOF committee and myself are excited to announce that an amount of $20,000 has been raised for Hear4U during season two,” Jo said.

“This is double the amount we were able to donate from the first season, so we are incredibly grateful to everyone who has contributed in so many ways to make this a ground-breaking successful season.

The ball netted $13,000 from ticket sales, raffles and auctions, while koha throughout the season came to $7000.

On top of that, at the Bollywood lunch, it was announced that 5 percent of sales at the restaurant over December would be donated to Hear4U. The amount is still being finalised.

Jo said planning was already under way for FOF season three.

“In the meantime, I encourage people to keep wearing their frocks to celebrate themselves just because we can, and to make use of the frock swap rack permanently housed at the TEC in Palmerston Road.”