The local community demonstrated extraordinary generosity and solidarity at the recent Pink Ribbon Dinner, held on Thursday 21 May, at The Original Kaipara Tavern. The charity event was a resounding success, culminating in an impressive grand total of $1,835.00 being raised directly for breast cancer awareness, research, and vital patient support services in New Zealand.
Approximately 70 guests gathered for the special evening, which successfully united residents from across the area. Attendees enjoyed a memorable night filled with exceptional food, spot prizes, raffles, shared laughter, and a profound sense of community spirit. Every aspect of the evening was driven by a shared mission to support a cause that deeply affects numerous Kiwi families.
Event organiser Anita Eggers expressed her heartfelt gratitude to every individual who contributed to the night’s success. She extended a sincere thank you to everyone who attended the dinner, purchased raffle tickets, and donated items.
Behind the scenes, an immense amount of effort went into making the night possible. Anita wishes to extend a deeply personal and heartfelt thank you to her Mum Cushla, her daughter Abigail, and friend Trish, whose tireless work and support in setting up the venue ensured the evening ran seamlessly.
In a touching gesture of appreciation, each guest was gifted a beautiful pink soap, which was generously supplied by Holly at FIGG.
Anita would like to publicly acknowledge and thank the following businesses for their immense generosity: Beauty Elixir, Helensville Mechanical, Eleventh Hour, Parakai Four Square, Helensville PaperPlus Select, Fifth Hair Studio, Kaipara Medical Centre, Huapai Copy & Print, Kaipatiki Hot Springs, The Red Door Café, Super Liquor Helensville, and Osteoh.
A deeply appreciative thank you goes to the team at The Original Kaipara Tavern, who graciously hosted the gathering at their venue and provided complimentary arrival drinks. This thoughtful gesture instantly set a warm, welcoming tone for the night. Guests also raved about the exceptional catering provided by Kaipara Kauta. Additionally, a special note of personal thanks goes to Bob Burton for his generous donation of live plants, several of which have already found new homes in gardens across the neighbourhood.
Overwhelmed by the kindness, empathy, and collective effort displayed by the community, Anita is incredibly thankful to everyone involved. She looks forward to organizing and supporting future Pink Ribbon fundraising campaigns to continue fighting the disease.
Sadly on Monday 25th May The Topp Twins’ management company confirmed that Dame Jools Topp, after 22 years of suffering from breast cancer, had died peacefully at her home on Saturday with her twin sister Dame Lynda Topp and brother Bruce Topp, close friends and pets by her side. Jools gave Lynda an envelope and asked her to read it to the public. “I thought it would be something really special for me, to tell me how much she loved and cherished me,” Lynda said of the envelope, but instead, Lynda has revealed her late twin sister, left behind a letter asking her: “If you get a chance Lynda, could you thank New Zealand for me?” “And so right now New Zealand, I’d just like to thank you for being there for us for over 40 years, We couldn’t have done it without you. You made us who we are, you made us the Topp twins,” Dame Lynda told 1News.
Many Helensville locals will remember Jools fondly.
