Cara's charitable costumes

Mardi Gras is on a mission to bring joy to little souls

Mardi Gras is a popular fancy-dress and costume hire shop on Bree Street. For the past 12-years,  this store has been supplying hens, Halloween ghosts, fairytale creatures and party princesses with over 600 dazzling costumes. Not only does owner, Cara Khan, love to dress up and have fun, but she's using the concept as a tool to help others.

Starting on the 14th February and ending on 8th March 2011, Cara herself has been dressing up in various outfits including; a clown, a cowgirl, a nurse and even a French maid. On 21st February, Cara visited Sinekhaya, a crèche in Khayelitsha, dressed as a fairy and armed with toys, books and stationary. On 24th February, she will visit Camps Bay and Caledon police stations, dressed as a lion, to symbolise their courage. No guns though, she’ll be armed with baked goods.

"I would like the police to know that the community does appreciate their hard work," says Cara, "They get so much bad press and, in the times that we live in, their jobs grow increasingly taxing and dangerous."

Cara is busy co-ordinating other visits including a visit to St Anne's Home in Roodebloem, for mothers and children who are destitute, abused or rejected. She is sponsored by hairdressing Salon, The Other Shop.

"I have received lots of books, toys and clothes from parents at my children's schools. And members of my running club, Atlantic Athletic, have offered their support, many people also offered to bake for the police," continues Cara, "I am lucky to have their support."

Cara is looking for donations of clothes, toys, books and ideas. Get involved by calling Cara on +27 (0)82 890 5680, or check out her blog.

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By Lisa Nevitt