Cafe backs cancer cause

I n New Zealand more than 40 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every week and just over 10 women die from the disease every seven days.

According to statistics from the New Zealand Breast cancer foundation those figures equate to women having a one in nine chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives.   For Taupo’s Nicki McSkimming those figures are very real.

Ms McSkimming’s sister died of breast cancer and her mother was also diagnosed with the disease.   So for Nicki, anyway she can help people affected by cancer is positive.

Ms McSkimming and her partner Lane Own Taupo’s waterfront cafe, “Friends”, where the pair are doing everything they can to raise money for breast cancer.

Last year Nicki decided to buy all her staff members T-shirts from the Glassons Breast Cancer Research Trust T-shirt collection to wear as uniforms as well as raise money on Daffodil day and take part in the Canteen appeal.

T he collection is put out every year with each designer tee for sale at a cost of $29.99.   Ten dollars of each sale is then donated to the trust.

Nicki said by providing the shirts to her employees to wear as a uniform she was not only supporting the cause but also raising awareness.

“It’s a really nice thing to do because breast cancer is such a common thing.   I have nursed a lot of people with cancer so seeing it made us want to give something back”, Nicki said.

L ane said the shirts were a great way to make people more aware of the disease.

“You can see where the money is going and at the same time we are making staff and customers aware of breast cancer”   he said

Nicki said the staff members liked wearing the shirts and most days she received positive feedback from customers about what she was trying to do.

Glassons general manager Jaime Whiting said 2009 was the seventh year of the T-shirt campaign and it had so far raised $3.2 million for the trust.

“We urgently need to stop breast cancer in its tracks.” Mr Whiting said.

“Breast cancer affects everyone and not just women.   Their spouses, partners, children and siblings all suffer when a woman gets breast cancer so lets aim to raise more money than ever before so we can bring the Breast Cancer Research Trust’s goal to reality and find a cure for this disease within the next ten years.”

Friends Cafe - 42 Roberts Road , Taupo

Autumn specials

We have the best hearty soups in Ellerslie, large bowl with garlic toast, gluten free or plain bread.

Why not try an old favourite? Lamb kidneys with mustard cream sauce on foccacia toast with crispy bacon. Signature dishes, mussel fritters and Thai fish cakes. Our Daily specials to tempt the taste buds, warm pasta dishes with vegetarian options we also have gluten and dairy free sweet treats.

Excellent customer service and coffee, and for those who want to try something different , hot Turkish apple tea, soy, chai and decaf available.

Susan & Felix Ebner - 30 years hospitality veterans still buzzing....

Sierra Cafe – Ellerslie, 179 Ladies Mile, Ellerslie

Congratulations!   Veranda Bar & Grill won the Pernod Riccard promotion run during Nov & Dec and got a trip for: 2 people to Chamgagne & Paris including $2000 spending money worth $15,000   Well done VBG for selling so much Mumm & Deutz   Veranda Bar & Grill - 279 Parnell Rd, Parnell, Auckland

Come and Laze away the days...

At the Lazy Dog - The Menu features our specialty Burgers , a 220gm Hereford Fillet Steak ,

Rack of Lamb , & includes local favourites; the Baked Brie ,

grilled Chicken & Bacon Salad , and thin-crust Pizzas

It’s a relaxed environment inside or outside in the sheltered garden and there is plenty space for the kids.

C romwell and Wanaka

• Wine Tasting/Sales Mon-Sun 10am-5pm

• Lunch or Tea/Coffee Mon-Sun 10am-3pm

• Evening Dining Thursday-Sat 6pm until we close

Bookings Desirable

Phone (03) 445 3211

The Lazy Dog Cafe & Wine Bar - Gladmurie Rd , Queensbury. RD3 CROMWELL