Among the standouts were two women who won best dressed with outfits made from recyclable materials.
“Their outfits were completely recyclable; they had been collecting bottle tops and bottles, but there were actually some really amazing outfits.”
The two winners of the Hot Pink Walk’s best-dressed competition. Photo / Alana Dresner
Hulton said the event was an important opportunity to raise awareness of the trust and the support it provided to people across the region.
She said people sometimes confused the organisation with the Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand, but it was an independent, locally run charity.
“We’re here to support local men and women in the Tauranga region from Waihi Beach to Maketu; we’re not clinical, we’re there to support them through their cancer journey.”
The trust provided practical and emotional support to people affected by breast cancer, including counselling, support workers, massages, pamper days and meals for families navigating treatment.
It received no central government funding, relying on community fundraising and donations to continue its work.
Hulton said the Hot Pink Walk was an opportunity to remind the community that the trust was a small but important local organisation.
“What we really want from the Hot Pink Walk is to make everyone realise that we are a small but mighty local charity.”
Walkers make their way through the finish line at the annual event. Photo / Alana Dresner
The Bay of Plenty Times reported last week that for new trust board member Leanne Blackwell, the charity’s support was a lifeline after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019.
Blackwell said she was assigned a support worker who checked in with her weekly throughout her treatment and offered advice from her own experience.
She described the service as a “shining light” during a difficult time and helped normalise her situation, made her feel less isolated, and gave her the confidence to return to everyday life.
Blackwell described the Hot Pink Walk as an “iconic event” and said it was a chance for people to show those affected by breast cancer they were not alone.
“When I first got breast cancer, a group of my friends came with me and did the walk. It’s showing that you’re not alone, that you’ve got someone to walk beside you.”