Male celebrities to hit runway for Kidney Foundation fundraiser

Local male celebrities ready to strut their stuff for the Kidney Foundation will model the latest looks at a fashion fundraiser in Windsor this spring.

The fifth annual Celebrity Male Fashion Event will take place on May 25 at the Formula First Collision Centre. There, 13 men will show off attire from Collins Formal Wear, the Running Factory, and the Suit Shop Co.

The Kidney Foundation’s goal is to raise $50,000 to contribute to programs and services for people living with kidney disease, and for kidney-related research.

“The work they do is so meaningful,” said Joel Robinet, a kidney transplant recipient who will model this year’s event, and who is a member of the Kidney Foundation’s local advisory committee.

“They did so much, and I actually got to see it first hand with my involvement — the patients and the families benefit from the work of the Kidney Foundation and it’s such a wonderful organization.”

Windsor's Pure Country 89 radio station host Chris Byrne will model in the Kidney Foundation's fifth annual Celebrity Men Fashion Event in May. — Windsor’s Pure Country 89 radio station host Chris Byrne will model in the Kidney Foundation’s fifth annual Celebrity Men Fashion Event in May. Photo by Taylor Campbell /Windsor Star

In addition to Robinet, this year’s models include Amherstburg physician Dr. Danish Mazhar, kidney transplant recipient Dennis Segatto, Formula First Collision president Frank Gobbato, Shadowbox Theater Productions managing director Michael Potter, senior vice president of Tilray Randy Daigneau, and registered nurse Chris Cerchie with Windsor Regional Hospital’s renal department.

Other fundraiser models will be: lawyer and poet laureate Peter Hrastovec, Amazing Race Canada winner Craig Ramsey, realtor Cris Kambouris, Windsor firefighter Jordan Malabanan, Windsor’s Pure Country 89 host Chris Byrne, and Virgin Radio Windsor host Matt Rutherford.

Frank Gobbato, president of Formula First Collision, will model in the Kidney Foundation's fifth annual Celebrity Men Fashion Event in May. He's shown Wednesday at Formula First Collision Center in Windsor, where the event will be held. — Frank Gobbato, president of Formula First Collision, will model in the Kidney Foundation’s fifth annual Celebrity Men Fashion Event in May. He’s shown Wednesday at Formula First Collision Center in Windsor, where the event will be held. Photo by Taylor Campbell /Windsor Star

“We raise awareness, and as well, we have peer-to-peer support,” said Shannon Van Watteghem-Levasseur, community development officer for the organization’s Windsor chapter.” These programs help people who are dealing with kidney disease and enable them to talk to others who have been in their shoes.”