A group of Richmond seniors recently raised $4,500 at a spring fashion show to help improve the lives of African grannies affected by AIDS.
On May 4, 160 community members gathered at Thompson Community Centre to check out the latest summer travel fashion modelled by the grannies from the Richmond Gogos.
The fashionable fundraiser was held by the Richmond Gogos in partnership with Vicki Hodgson, owner of Steveston's Jetlag Travel Fashion Boutique.
"It was really good. It was great fun. Just generally, everybody seemed to really have a good time," said Lauris Williams, one of the co-founders of the Richmond Gogos.
"It was a new idea we had and it turned out really well."
The Gogos are dedicated to supporting the Stephen Lewis Foundation's Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, which empowers grandmothers in African countries caring for grandchildren orphaned by the HIV and AIDS pandemic.
Attendees also enjoyed scones with jam and butter with tea and coffee served in the Gogos' finest china while they shopped crafts and repurposed jewellery made by the Gogos. Door prizes were also donated for the event.
Williams told the News while the event was "a lot of fun," it was also "a lot of work" and she hopes more volunteers can join the club.
"It's not a requirement to be an old lady to be part of the Richmond cohort," she said, adding that the only requirement is that volunteers are free to meet during the day.
To learn more about the Richmond Gogos, visit richmondgogos.org or email [email protected].
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