Wodonga Chamber of Commerce business manager Bernie Squire has thrown out an odd-ball challenge ahead of National Ovarian Cancer Awareness month.

“We thought doing something silly was a good way to get people talking,” he said.

The chamber has joined forces with the Border Ovarian Cancer Awareness Group to raise funds and make people more aware of such a deadly disease.

“Unlike breast cancer, ovarian cancer is much harder to see, feel and diagnose,” Mr Squire said yesterday.

“I have eight sisters — that is all the motivation I need for getting so involved in raising awareness of this terrible disease.”

Mr Squire wants people to don the teal underwear on Teal Ribbon Day — February 25.

One retailer has already shown how keen she is to back the campaign.

Dawn George, of Genevieve Boutique in High Street, Wodonga, has decorated her shop window with appropriate paraphernalia — teal balloons and ribbons.

“It’s an opportunity to talk to my customers and promote awareness about this type of cancer,” she said.

“People think that a pap smear is a test for this but it is not.”

Border businesses are encouraged to buy a marketing pack that includes teal ribbons, two pairs of teal undies to wear or display in their windows, balloons and information about the disease.

The pack costs $20 and pairs of teal undies cost $5 each from the Wod-onga chamber office.

Those driving on the Lincoln Causeway during the campaign may get a surprise — a “clothes line” of teal undies for all to see.