Purple Bra Day and How to Raise Money for Charity.

There’s nothing I like more than a get together with friends over a glass of champagne.

What better way to do this than to combine it with raising money for a cause?

With the help of 12 lovely friends I recently hosted a Purple Bra Event in support of Breast Cancer Care WA.

We raised $420 for the charity whilst sipping champagne and nibbling cheese, snacks and cake. #Winning!

“Would you like, Tea, Coffee or Champagne,” I asked as people walked in.

“Champagne please!” was the cry of the day! Not one tea bag was used!

That set the tone for a brilliant get together all in aid of a great cause.

During the evening everyone was invited to talk about their businesses or their creative pursuits, and WOW what a lot of really interesting pursuits these ladies are involved in. If you scroll to the end of this post, you can find out a little more about their businesses.

This event was in aid of Purple Bra Day, and I’m sure you’re wondering what on earth it is!

You can still get involved and host your own Purple Bra Day event … so here’s how, along with all the details, PLUS, some great ideas for raising money for raising money for charity in any capacity  …

What’s Purple Bra Day All About?

“2017 is the 15th year of Purple Bra Day in Western Australia. The day is all about having fun, raising funds and showing that you are breast aware! Individuals (females AND males) simply register to take part, you receive a Hero Pack which includes a free ‘one size fits all’ purple bra and then you wear your bra OVER your clothes on Purple Bra Day to raise vital funds – in true Superhero style.”

When Is Purple Bra Day?

The street fundraising day is actually on Friday 23 June but you can hold your Purple Bra Day any time in May or June. Visit the Purple Bra Day website for more information.

Why Purple?

Commencing in 2000, Founder and Patron Ros Worthington OAM chose purple to represent Breast Cancer Care WA and differentiate from other breast cancer organisations. Pink is often associated with research, but here in WA purple represents emotional, practical and financial support.

Last year alone, Breast Cancer Care supported over 1,000 women thanks to the generous support of the WA Community.

How Do I Register To Take Part In Purple Bra Day?

You can sign up HERE to get your free fundraising pack.

What Should I Do For Purple Bra Day?

Anything! Just get creative – decorate your purple bra, dress up in purple, hold a morning tea, dare your boss to wear the bra if enough money is raised.

Breast Cancer Care WA provide you with the Purple Bra to be worn OVER your clothes, so all you need to do is strap it on and encourage everyone to dig deep and donate to you! You can raise even more funds with raffles, auctions and competitions! You can find more tips HERE.

Two of my friends, Ingrid and Jeff Rickersey (above) couldn’t attend the Purple Bra Day event because they were cycling in Prague. Here they are overlooking Prague city bravely sporting purple bras for all to see in aid of Purple Bra Day.

Thanks Guys! You look swell!!

What’s The Cost of Purple Bra Day?

It’s free to register for Purple Bra Day and receive your hero pack (including your one size fits all purple bra.) This way you’ll have everything you need to start fundraising.

Where Does The Money I Raise Go?

Purple Bra day is Breast Cancer Care WA’s largest annual fundraiser.  The funds raised allow them to continue to provide personalised support to women, men and their families affected by breast cancer. This can be by way of counselling appointments, helping with the weekly cleaning services, dropping patients to and from medical appointments, helping to pay household bills, support from Breast Care Nurses and so much more.

Can I Volunteer?

Of course! Tin shaking heroes can join in on the streets of Perth on Friday 23 June. Opportunities will be available at locations within the Perth CBD and in outer suburbs. Volunteers can enjoy dressing up and wearing a purple bra, gaining events experience, meeting new people and making new friends and most of all, knowing they are making a positive difference! Sign up to volunteer HERE.

If you’re on Pinterest, please pin the picture below. Happy Pinning!

How to fundraise for a charity, or for Purple Bra Day.

1. Bake, and host a cake sale!
2. Organise a purple/green/red dress day at work and encourage everyone to wear that item of clothing and ask for a donation.
3. Have a heroes night in and provide food and drinks, but ask everyone to donate the money they would have spend on a night out.
4. Play ‘Waste Bin Hoops’. Put a bin in the middle of the floor and get everyone to throw a balled piece of paper with their name on into it. If they miss, they have to pay a forfeit into the fundraising kitty.
5. Organise a bush walk or a coastal walk and ask your friends and colleagues to join in for a donation.
6. Get your  hair dyed a bright colour, or shave it off, and ask for donations.
7. Kick off your fundraising with your own personal donation.
8. Then ask three family members to sponsor you for the same amount.
9. Approach two or three businesses and tell them what you’re up to and ask if they’d donate $50.
10. Ask some of your friends or colleagues to donate $20 each.

Back to my Purple Bra Day event and the lovely ladies who attended brought along samples of their artistic creations of the products they sell.

In the photo above: Top Left and Bottom Left: Christin Svard designs and makes the most beautiful soft, supple leather handbags – you can read more about them HERE or visit her website at Travel and Living Collection. She also sells stunning Hjerte (heart) jewellery.

Top right: Jenny Shenton is an avocado farmer, an advocate for healthy living, and she distributes fantastic Skin and Bathroom Products and health supplements – click here for some groundbreaking health and beauty products which have anti-ageing properties.

Bottom Right: Jill Harrison is a writer and photographer who makes the most gorgeous cards from her photographs. She also makes tote bags and eco dyed scarves. Find Jill and links to her products at Life Images by Jill.

Below: Colleen Maguire distributes the amazing Enjo products. You can find her on Facebook here.

Denise Gillies runs an amazing art, crafts and antiques gallery in the Ferguson Valley. It’s called the Lyndendale Gallery and supports over 30 local artists (such as Jill Harrison who sells her beautiful eco-dyed scarves at the gallery (below) and Lynne Mitchell an artist who’s gorgeous printmaking you can find online at Lynne Art.

And last (but definitely not least) a shout out to Michele Jenkins who runs Stratham Retreat. Michele is also a professional Silks Aerial Dancer and Acrobat and she offers Silks Classes and Stilts Classes too.

Thanks to everyone who attended the Purple Bra Day fundraiser, and thank you so much for your generosity!

I hope this has inspired you to run your own event to raise money for your favourite charity.

What charities do you support?

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