His left foot.Prime Minister John Key stripped today for a good cause -- but only up to his ankles.Mr Key took the old 'pull your socks up' adage literally today when he surprised lunchtime shoppers at a central Wellington supermarket by taking off his sh
His left foot.
Prime Minister John Key stripped today for a good cause -- but only up to his ankles.
Mr Key took the old 'pull your socks up' adage literally today when he surprised lunchtime shoppers at a central Wellington supermarket by taking off his shoes and donning a pair of black socks for charity.
He was at the launch of the Get Black On Your Feet campaign aimed at tackling the effects of spinal cord injuries.
Okay, that's enough, John.
The CatWalk Trust, New Zealand Spinal Trust and New Zealand Rugby Foundation were behind the campaign to raise funds and awareness for research, rehabilitation and prevention of spinal injuries.
At the launch in Thorndon New World today, Mr Key said he would buy several pairs of the black socks, being sold as part of the campaign, because his wife and son were always stealing his.
"The good news is I always wear black socks."
The socks were available in dress or trouser style and were solid black with two small grey footprints.
Every five days someone gets a spinal injury, the average age of those injured was 33 and most were the result of a car accident, Mr Key said.
CatWalk founder Catriona Williams said she hoped the socks would be popular during the Rugby World Cup next year -- similar to the red socks worn during the America's Cup.
Ms Williams became a tetraplegic after a fall from a horse in 2002. She completed the New York City marathon last week in four hours.
People in wheelchairs did not want pity but wanted research and support, she said.
She challenged the Government to match the dollar amount made by the campaign.
"Sounds like I need to talk to the Minister of Finance," Mr Key replied.
Asked if he would be keen to complete a marathon, Mr Key said he didn't have the time now but his wife had thought about it and they might after politics.
Ms Williams said it cost an average $5 million over the lifetime of a paraplegic and $9.5m over the lifetime of a tetraplegic for care and rehabilitation.
Foodstuffs chairman Brian Drake said the socks were available at all New World, Pak n Save and Four Square stores.
In between the banana stand and tomato stall at the supermarket today it was Mr Key who was making the sales pitch.
He promised to pay for the socks he tried on.
That may not have been much comfort to his press secretary who was left holding his old pair.
