A shop worker’s interpretation of a famous advert has gone viral, racking up nearly 250,000 views on Facebook and raising more than £1,000 for a cancer charity.
Brave fundraiser Connor Doran, 19, wore a pair of hot pants and heels on Broadway in Accrington town centre and strutted along to the soundtrack of The Pussycat Dolls’ Don’t Cha, in an impersonation of the moneysupermarket.com advert.
The Argos worker was filmed by passer-by Samuel McGee who posted it on Facebook and has clocked more than 248,000 views in two days.
Connor carried out the routine as part of a series of events and activities to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and he was joined in hot pants and heels by co-organiser Mike Brome.
Connor, who works part time at the Argos store in Accrington, said he was ‘absolutely shocked’ by the number of people who have seen the video.
The former Accrington Academy pupil said: “I was just doing it for an event and now it’s become massive. They already had someone dressed up to do it and I said I wanted to have a go.
“I have got size 10 feet and the heels were a size eight so I had to do it only a couple of times every hour so my feet wouldn’t be badly damaged in the process.
“It’s not normally something I would do but it was so much fun and I’m glad I did it for charity. I have done drag and heels before for a laugh but to do it for charity seemed more useful.
“We had a lot of people coming up and giving money. I’m absolutely shocked how viral the video has gone as I didn’t expect that.”
Customer service manager Odette Vinnyey said: “Mike did it first and then Connor was there and he said he was going to do it. He ended up getting changed into the outfit as well and there were loads of people with their phones and cameras. They were just chucking money in the buckets when they were watching him.
“The video has gone everywhere now and loads of people have seen it and are donating because of it.
“Macmillan is our chosen charity for the next two years and this was our launch event.”
Mike, 46, of Limewood Close, Accrington, said he was approached by Argos to raise money for Macmillan following a series of successful Christmas fundraising events.
Mike said: “The Money Supermarket advert is such a popular one and everybody seems to be copying it.
“I just thought it will cheer people up and give them something to talk about. We had the pants especially made and it was a good laugh. It was a great day and even though the weather wasn’t good, the people of Accrington are still just as generous.”
The event on Saturday, March 28, also featured a raffle, stalls, tombola and dances and has so far raised more than £1,100.
Mike said they are now planning a ‘Party in the Park’ event later this summer after the Accrington Carnival.
To donate money visit www.justgiving.com/ArgosMacmillan
