Hot on the heels of the much-successful 2019 HospiceWits Night With The Stars edition, this year’s fundraiser – The Lounge Edition – returns with a twist as it looks back at some of the most memorable red carpet moments from the previous years.
As fashion publicist Leon Haasbroek explained to NOWinSA, it’s not an event in the actual sense, but more of an Instagram activation.
“What is happening is that we are creating an IG event by asking our celebrity supporters and designers to share posts about the donation links on their personal platforms,” Haasbroek said, adding: “So they are going to posts about their previous years of entering/participating and share highlights from those years – along with the donation links.”
Scheduled to take place on Tuesday, July 28, the fundraiser has a twofold objective; (1) raise funds to help the non-profit organisation cope with the additional demands of the COVID-19 epidemic, (2) shine a spotlight on the creative industries whose livelihoods have been severely affected.
Over the past six years, HospiceWits and its partners hosted an annual fashion extravaganza, welcoming hundreds of South Africa’s top celebrities, designers and media personalities on their sought-after runway.
Jacqui Kaye, CEO of HospiceWits, is elated that the fundraiser will go ahead – albeit with a twist – and said she anticipate a glamorous night with an even larger global audience.
Presented by Umzingeli Productions, in association with About Entertainment, the evening will provide an opportunity for HospiceWits to increase awareness of the needs of people living with life limiting illnesses and their families, while also helping raise funds to ensure that appropriate personal protective equipment is provided to its employees.
Why HospiceWits needs your help now more than ever
“COVID-19 lockdown has brought many of my peers in the fashion, eventing and associated industries to their knees”
Jan Malan
As a registered NPO, HospiceWits relies on the support of corporates, and other valuable partners to enable them to meet the needs within their communities.
However, as with many NPOs the current global pandemic hasn’t only stretched its resources to the limit, but has also made it difficult to generate the much-needed funds.
“As the director/producer of HospiceWits Night With The Stars, it was difficult to accept that we would not be able to bring our designers, celebrities & performers together for the 7th edition of this spectacular event,” Jan Malan, from Umzingeli Productions, said.
Clad in Maxhosa Africa, rapper Riky Rick during the 2019 HospiceWits Night With The Stars
He added: “The lockdown has brought many of my peers in the fashion, eventing and associated industries to their knees. Due to COVID-19, HospiceWits is in dire need of donations.”
To this end, the team has decided to host HospiceWits Night of the Stars Instagram activation as “The Lounge Edition”, with all the proceeds going to HospiceWits.
Supporters of the annual fashion show will go LIVE on their Instagram accounts between 6pm and 10pm (Tuesday, July 28) posting static and moving content from the previous years, as well as calling on their fans and followers to donate and show their support for HospicesWits.
The process will allow donators to follow this link and pledge a sum to the organisation.
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