Crayfish, bejewelled bras and high-end packages for auction show how a community can come together when it counts to support a good cause.

What started as a small idea to do a little Pink Ribbon lunch of around 40 ladies turned into an event with over 100 people.

On Saturday, May 25, Pukehina local Kerry Barugh held a Pink Ribbon lunch that raised $20,725.

“Everything was donated, and locals just pitched in.

A beautiful flower wall was donated for the Pink Ribbon Lunch. Photos supplied by Kerry Barugh.

“All the food was gathered and donated and cooked locally and the glasses of bubbles and beer on arrival was donated by ourselves.”

There aren’t many fundraisers where men donate freshly caught crayfish, Kerry laughs.

“It was incredible to hold a Pink Ribbon lunch with crayfish on the menu.

Pink Ribbon Lunch. Photos supplied by Kerry Barugh.

“So many people came on board to help; we had crayfish and venison, and someone made meatballs.

“We had a marque donated for use by a local Pukehina couple.

“We had so much support from local businesses on the beach and those surrounding areas, as well as massive support from Taupō, Rotorua, Wānaka, Marlborough and Waikato, which enabled us to put amazing high-end packages together for the live auction.

Pink Ribbon Lunch. Photos supplied by Kerry Barugh.

“We had an incredible amount of smaller items donated by local businesses as well as the Waikato area and some beautiful homemade goodies to accompany, which enabled us to put some amazing raffle item packages together.

“You were able to pay $5.00 to judge the bejewelled bras and those that entered the judging received a complementary glass of Vodka and Orange from the Cardona distillery.

“Some of our attendees created amazing bejewelled bras, which were then judged.

Pink Ribbon Lunch. Photos supplied by Kerry Barugh.

“The venue was at the Pukehina Retreat and Lodge, and a team of local men and women helped make everything work and run smoothly. People just pitched in and wanted to help.

“We raised $20,725, which was outstanding for a put-together in about a month; we plan on doing this again next year and adding prostate cancer into the fundraising.

“It’s incredible what a small beach community can achieve.

Pink Ribbon Lunch. Photos supplied by Kerry Barugh.

“We have donated these funds to both Pink Ribbon and Breast Cancer Research Trust.”

Kerry says they’ll do the same thing next year. However, they are going to include prostate cancer fundraising as well.

"When we do it next year, invites will go out to the wider public."

Pink Ribbon Lunch. Photos supplied by Kerry Barugh.

Pink Ribbon Lunch. Photos supplied by Kerry Barugh.

Pink Ribbon Lunch. Photos supplied by Kerry Barugh.

Pink Ribbon Lunch. Photos supplied by Kerry Barugh.

Pink Ribbon Lunch. Photos supplied by Kerry Barugh.

Pink Ribbon Lunch. Photos supplied by Kerry Barugh.

Pink Ribbon Lunch. Photos supplied by Kerry Barugh.

Pink Ribbon Lunch. Photos supplied by Kerry Barugh.

Pink Ribbon Lunch. Photos supplied by Kerry Barugh.

Pink Ribbon Lunch. Photos supplied by Kerry Barugh.

Pink Ribbon Lunch. Photos supplied by Kerry Barugh.