Largest Ever Bikini Photo Shoot world record attempt

Iconic office automation company Nashua is once again celebrating feminine curves, this time for a charitable cause ­– raising funds for the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa).

Well-known for its sponsorship of the South African Sports Illustrated magazine swimwear edition, Nashua is the title sponsor of the Largest Ever Bikini Photo Shoot world record attempt.

Approached by the organisers, Club 100 For Ladies, Nashua Port Elizabeth managing director Peter Hearne instantly pledged his company’s commitment to the event.

“Everyone has probably had some sort of personal acquaintance with the scourge of cancer and I’m no exception,” said Hearne.

“Also, I felt that after the awesome exposure Port Elizabeth received during the World Cup, this would be one way of sustaining that publicity and benefiting Nelson Mandela Bay as a whole.”

The stunning Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will be the venue for the event, which starts at 8am on Saturday, October 23.

Organisers aim to assemble 2 000 bikini-clad women to break the current record set by 1 923 participants in the Russian seaside resort of Sochi on July 19, 2008.

Two appointed referees will verify the attempt for the Guinness World Records.

Hearne emphasised that although the event coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, all proceeds raised would go to Cansa and be used in the fight against all forms of the disease.

“We do, however, have a strong female presence at Nashua. Four of our seven managers are ladies, so the company is adopting this campaign with gusto.”

The organisers stressed that this is not a beauty pageant but is open to women of all ages, shapes and sizes.

To become an event ambassador, participants pay a R50 registration fee and are required to sign up a minimum of 20 more female participants. Although men may not participate in the record attempt itself, they can support the girls in bikinis with a minimum donation of R50.

Ambassadors who sign up 20 female participants, 10 male sponsors and five corporate sponsors will receive a luxury goodie bag worth R1 000. The girls’ sponsors also stand a chance to win great prizes.

Hearne urged all companies in Nelson Mandela Bay to support this worthy cause by signing up with ambassadors and buying a R500 virtual brick in the website wall. By encouraging their staff to participate on the day, he said, the record could easily be broken.

Hearne pointed out that the first world record of 1010 women, set at Bondi Beach in Australia, is still widely publicised on the internet. The potential global coverage for the Bay could have very positive outcomes for local business.

To find out more about the event, visit the website http://4cansa.yolasite.com, phone Laurence on 084 507 3175 or e-mail club100@axxess.co.za.

Alternatively, join the Facebook group ‘Bikini PhotoShoot (World Record Attempt)...For CANSA’.