Doctors, nurses and volunteers from Auckland's Mercy Hospice will be hitting the catwalk for New Zealand Fashion Week this weekend, in efforts to raise funds for the vital work they do.
Mercy Hospice provides free palliative care for more than 1,200 patients each year, and while they get 60 per cent of their funding from the Auckland DHB, they have to find around four million dollars per year just to cover costs.
Doctor Pamela Jennings at Mercy Hospice was ready to leave her comfort zone for her patients.
"It's not that we are going to compete against supermodels, we're just there to present for Mercy Hospice...and want to highlight the charity shops we have in the community and how much we rely on those charity shops and other fundraising measures to maintain this service," she says.
The model Sisters of Mercy also say there's plenty of quality "ready to wear" fashion available leading to Fashion Week.
"You can pick up really good bargains...especially for students, or people who can't afford to buy designer things...doesn't break the bank, and you feel good about it," says Lucy from Mercy's fundraising department.
"Working at Hopsice you get an appreciation, you never know when your time is up," says occupational therapist Cherie.
"It's all about the patients...every last person who works at Mercy Hospice is here for the patients and their families," says Dr Jennings.
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