Community
‘Geek Out For Good’ organisers are stoked with the acknowledgement from the I Am Hope charity after donating door sales from its inaugural event in December.
Southland’s first nerd convention featured a massive range of collectibles from all over the region, including comics, lego and sports trading cards.
Co-organiser Jeremy Cashell said the concept was well received by the Invercargill public who came to support them.
While numbers were well down on what they set out at the start, the event had to compete with Christmas in the Park and Christmas at the Races.
I Am Hope is youth-focused mental health charity founded by Mike King in 2010 (formerly The Key to Life Charitable Trust), that works to normalise mental health conversations and reduce suicide rates.
It provides free counselling for young people through initiatives like Gumboot Friday, and delivers educational programmes in schools.
Proceeds from door sales of $502 was sent to I Am Hope, and around 500 people came through the doors of the Geek Out For Good event on the day.
“We would like to thank the public that came, the fantastic vendors and our sponsors,” he said.
“We would certainly like to organise another event for 2026, if everything lines up we will be back.”