Kiwi celebs including Antonia Prebble, Angela Bloomfield, Ben Barrington and Wilhelmina Shrimpton are modelling designer t-shirts for Breast Cancer Cure’s Tees for a Cure charity campaign.
The eighth such campaign, 2025’s mission is to sell 3600 tees designed by local fashion icons, such as Trelise Cooper, Karen Walker, Kathryn Wilson, Moochi, Hailwood and Federation, to raise money for the 3600 people diagnosed with breast cancer every year in Aotearoa.
Other celebrities getting involved include podcaster Petra Bagust, comedy queen Michele A’Court, Dancing With The Stars pro Loryn Reynolds and her new husband Blair Smith, and Olympic skier Anna Wilcoxx.
To purchase a tee and raise money for a good cause, visit breastcancercure.org.nz.
Explaining why he got on board, Shortland Street actor Ben Barrington tells Woman’s Day, “It means a great deal to me because I lost my aunt to breast cancer in 2014. She was only 41 years old, so it’s always been a cause that’s very close to my heart. My aunt was a massive part of our family and to die so young while leaving two kids and her husband behind was absolutely devastating.”
And former Shorty star Angela Bloomfield says, “I want to help make cancer less scary, and make it OK and more comfortable for people to talk about their boobs and notice changes in their boobs – to go along and have mammograms or just feel confident to share stories. If someone has gone through something, then share it because someone else will hear and do something about it.”
Outrageous Fortune actress Antonia adds, “This campaign is an amazing example of the New Zealand fashion industry and its incredible designers coming together to donate their time and their skills to this really important cause… and supportive New Zealanders also get to wear these beautiful tees for a fraction of the cost of what you would normally pay for a designer shirt, so I feel like everyone wins with this campaign.”
Journalist and former Newshub presenter Wilhelmina has been a BCC ambassador for almost two years and says, “Every time I’m part of a campaign or a fundraising event, I’m blown away by the generosity and support that so many give to such an important cause. The painful truth is that this is a disease that affects nearly everyone – whether you’ve been diagnosed, are a survivor, had a scare or know a family member or friend with breast cancer. This campaign brings us one step closer to finding a cure.
“I’m thrilled to be part of Tees for a Cure and to be able to see this beautiful fusion of fashion and philanthropy that’s turned something that’s often viewed as dark or scary into a beacon of hope that’s light and colourful.”
Also an ambassador for the charity, Petra tells us, “The first time I worked with Breast Cancer Cure was on one of the original Tees for a Cure campaign and my firstborn daughter Venetia was in my belly. I was pregnant and hadn’t told anybody, and I was thinking about the next generation and how I wanted to be here and for her for her whole life.
“The whole campaign resonated with me so much as the reason we are doing it and raising money for breast cancer research is to keep our mothers, sisters, daughters, aunties alive and there for the next generation.”
New Zealand Woman’s Weekly columnist Michele has worked with BCC since 2020. “There’s a lot of motivation for me after one of my closest friends survived breast cancer twice. Doctors also recently diagnosed my favourite cousin,” she explains.
“What I love about the Tees for a Cure campaign is that it gives people and creatives an opportunity to do something really meaningful. I’m excited about the designs every time we do one of these and having the opportunity to pretend to be a model for a moment is really quite special.”
Newlywed dancer Loryn says, “It’s so special and so meaningful to do this campaign. Blair’s mother is actually a breast cancer survivor, so it hits really close to home for us and is very emotional.”
And Olympic athlete Anna adds, “It was an honour to be part of a campaign involving so many amazing people and designers. It’s such an important cause for a disease that affects so many women and families across New Zealand.”
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