Nine hours of almost non-stop hula hooping with just one bathroom break is quite a feat – one that Amy McAuley has done before and intends to do again.
Two years ago, the local Powerhoop group did a Hoop-a-thon in Pakuranga Plaza to fundraise for charity where the Powerhoop NZ owner accomplished the feat.
This year, she’s hoping to beat her own record.
The group will be putting on a show at the Howick bandstand on the corner of Uxbridge Rd and Picton St on Saturday May 27 beginning at 9am and going until late hoping to raise as much money as possible.
It’s just one of many fundraising tactics to help them reach their goal of $10,000 for the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.
Ms McAuley is passionate about raising money for charity. She introduced Powerhoop into New Zealand four years ago, after training as a Powerhoop instructor in Scotland and what started off as one class a week in the Howick Salvation Army church, has grown into nine Powerhoop communities around New Zealand.
Each year, they collaborate together to fundraise for a variety of different charities.
For the Pink Ribbon Breakfasts will be held up and down the country by Powerhoop members while local businesses have also jumped on board to sponsor prizes for silent and online auctions.
The Heart Foundation is also getting some love, with Ms McAuley’s group walking (while hooping of course) around the Ellerslie Racecourse.
While they’re serious about raising money for well-deserving charities, they certainly know how to have a bit of fun while doing it.
Also in the works is a cheeky nude calendar to raise money for the Mental Health Foundation – a cause close to Ms McAuley’s heart.
“For years I suffered from [negative mental health]. I had Post Natal Depression, I had an eating disorder, I know how bad life can be without exercise in life and I know how much it saved my life and helped my mental health and wellbeing,” she said.
“We’re really all about using the power of the group. We’ve got an incredible community in Powerhoop with women of all ages, shapes and sizes, and some men as well, and we love coming together to raise money for charity.”
