Frolics in pink a worthy cause

Kaurilands principal Dave Shadbolt joined the fund-raising event organised by the school's student council. Picture / Brett Phibbs

Pupils and teachers at Kaurilands School wore pink yesterday: pink hats, pink pants, pink shirts - and 30 pink tutus.

"We're raising money to research to cure cancer," said Danielle Rana, 10, who helped organise the event as a member of the student council.

The school's 700 pupils donated $511 to the Child Cancer Foundation, which supports children with cancer and their families.

Denise Lacassie, the school's associate principal, said the pupils organised the event. "They write the letters, they put the notices over. They do it all."

Similar events are being held at Green Bay School and Hobsonville Primary School.

The pink tutus symbolise the dance of Alexis Primrose, the face of the foundation's fundraising campaign. The 3-year-old cancer survivor can be seen dancing in television advertisements.

Street collectors wearing pink tutus are out canvassing, trying to raise $1 million.

The foundation says that each year about 150 young New Zealanders are diagnosed with cancer.