Blue September sweeps the country

PlaceMakers branches across the country host a range of events to raise funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation

He’s here, he’s there, he’s everywhere! The PlaceMakers Blue Streak and his pledge to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation has swept the nation, with fantastic Blue September events being held in stores from Kaitaia to Invercargill.

For the sixth year in a row, PlaceMakers is proud to support the action-packed month. From quiz nights to scooter challenges, the types of events vary dramatically – but the generosity of those who attend does not!

“It’s incredible to see how many of our builders come out to these events,” says PlaceMakers chief executive Dean Fradgley. “Their commitment to supporting such a good cause is admirable and it’s another great way to build the community that exists between us and our customers.”

According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, one in ten New Zealand men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime and, every year, about 600 men die of the disease.

“We strongly encourage all men over 40 – employees and customers alike – to get checked,” says Dean. “As much as Blue September is about raising money, it’s also about raising awareness by bringing men’s health to the forefront of conversation.”

Events are still going on, and money is still being counted, but at the last count PlaceMakers branches across the country had raised $160,000 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

PlaceMakers Te Kuiti’s annual ‘Blue September Trade Breakfast’ fundraiser drew a great crew of customers in for bacon, eggs and sausages, cooked by local ‘My Kitchen Rules’ chefs Doug Manu and Gavin Todd. With gold coin donations galore and big ticket items being auctioned off, those who attended were generous in their support for the Prostate Cancer Foundation

PlaceMakers Te Kuiti’s annual ‘Blue September Trade Breakfast’ fundraiser drew a great crew of customers in for bacon, eggs and sausages, cooked by local ‘My Kitchen Rules’ chefs Doug Manu and Gavin Todd. With gold coin donations galore and big ticket items being auctioned off, those who attended were generous in their support for the Prostate Cancer Foundation

PlaceMakers Thames’ ‘upscale’ trade breakfast menu offered more than the traditional bacon and eggs buffet – it included mussel fritters donated by Mussel Madness of Kopu. About 50 builders turned up to enjoy the food, try out local suppliers’ products and participate in a kid’s picnic table building contest. The best three table builders – as judged by the eagle eyes of branch operator John McGill – won some great prizes and the finished products will be donated to local kindergartens, day cares and play centres

PlaceMakers Thames’ ‘upscale’ trade breakfast menu offered more than the traditional bacon and eggs buffet – it included mussel fritters donated by Mussel Madness of Kopu. About 50 builders turned up to enjoy the food, try out local suppliers’ products and participate in a kid’s picnic table building contest. The best three table builders – as judged by the eagle eyes of branch operator John McGill – won some great prizes and the finished products will be donated to local kindergartens, day cares and play centres

With 30 scooters in town, the Wellington PlaceMakers branches led the charge in the inaugural Capital Scooter Challenge – a 230km ride from Wellington to Foxton and back! Great costumes, high spirits and a prizegiving to finish it off ensured everyone had a great time, and the event raised over $20,000 for the Prostate cancer Foundation!

With 30 scooters in town, the Wellington PlaceMakers branches led the charge in the inaugural Capital Scooter Challenge – a 230km ride from Wellington to Foxton and back! Great costumes, high spirits and a prizegiving to finish it off ensured everyone had a great time, and the event raised over $20,000 for the Prostate cancer Foundation!

Over 120 people attended Nelson’s Blue September quiz night, where quizees tested their knowledge of everything from geography to pop culture

The heat was on more than the BBQ at Mt Maunganui’s Blue September trade breakfast, where builders went head-to-head in an ‘old-school’ building challenge with no power tools allowed. Gunning for a wheelbarrow full of goodies valued over $1,000, as well as top honours, it came down to a very tight race between Paul Riordan (Riordan Builders) and Todd Grey (Todd Grey Builders). In the end, Todd (pictured above middle) was the victor. The event, which was held in conjunction with a silent auction, raised $3,500 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation

With 200 eggs and over 17kg of bacon, PlaceMakers Pakuranga had just enough food to host its biggest turnout yet for its annual Blue September trade breakfast. The presence of special guests Sir Peter Leitch, Geoff Thomas, ‘My Kitchen Rules’ contestants Simon and Meg and international bodybuilder Allan Laumatia added to the awesome atmosphere, as did the charity auction, games and interesting supplier demonstrations. However, the stand-out event was ‘The Great Shave Off’, where 20 customers and staff had their beards and heads shaved for the cause, raising almost $5,000. Blue generosity is running high at Pakuranga, with the branch closing in on $10,000 in donations for the month

With 200 eggs and over 17kg of bacon, PlaceMakers Pakuranga had just enough food to host its biggest turnout yet for its annual Blue September trade breakfast. The presence of special guests Sir Peter Leitch, Geoff Thomas, ‘My Kitchen Rules’ contestants Simon and Meg and international bodybuilder Allan Laumatia added to the awesome atmosphere, as did the charity auction, games and interesting supplier demonstrations. However, the stand-out event was ‘The Great Shave Off’, where 20 customers and staff had their beards and heads shaved for the cause, raising almost $5,000. Blue generosity is running high at Pakuranga, with the branch closing in on $10,000 in donations for the month

With 200 eggs and over 17kg of bacon, PlaceMakers Pakuranga had just enough food to host its biggest turnout yet for its annual Blue September trade breakfast. The presence of special guests Sir Peter Leitch, Geoff Thomas, ‘My Kitchen Rules’ contestants Simon and Meg and international bodybuilder Allan Laumatia added to the awesome atmosphere, as did the charity auction, games and interesting supplier demonstrations. However, the stand-out event was ‘The Great Shave Off’, where 20 customers and staff had their beards and heads shaved for the cause, raising almost $5,000. Blue generosity is running high at Pakuranga, with the branch closing in on $10,000 in donations for the month

PlaceMakers Pakuranga hosted the Bikers in Blue before they rode from Pakuranga to Albany. Prostate cancer fairies – Susie and Aimee – hosted a BBQ and sold cupcakes to raise funds for the cause

PlaceMakers Pakuranga hosted the Bikers in Blue before they rode from Pakuranga to Albany. Prostate cancer fairies – Susie and Aimee – hosted a BBQ and sold cupcakes to raise funds for the cause

PlaceMakers Kaitaia’s ‘Blue September Dinner & Auction’, hosted by the team (pictured above), was a resounding success. Seventy-six people attended a sit-down dinner at the largest local restaurant. With blue hair, blue dresses and auction mania at fever pitch, a great night was had by all and the evening raised an impressive $7,046.02!

PlaceMakers Whakatane staff were fully on board for their Blue September trade breakfast, which included a silent auction and carwash!

The winner of PlaceMakers Kerikeri’s garden shed raffle, Deb Ryder, was over the moon to find out she’d won. Thanks to Better Shedz and Dimond’s generosity in supplying the materials, the branch managed to raise $2,740 through raffle ticket sales