SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

FASHION FOR A REASON RAISES FUNDS AND AWARENESS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH CANCER

Fashion lovers and charity supporters from across the North West gathered at Harvey Nichols Manchester on Wednesday 11th November 2015 for a fashion show with a conscience. Fashion for a Reason raised awareness of cancer in young people as well as in the region of £10,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust and The Cinderella Project.

120 people attended the event, organised by Teenage Cancer Trust’s North West Ambassador Margo Cornish, who is behind the annual Runway on the Runway event at Manchester Airport.

Guests enjoyed dinner and drinks before watching models take the runway to showcase AW15 fashion picks from the top designers available at Harvey Nichols. As well as new faces from Manchester’s top model agency Boss Model Management and students from Manchester Enterprise Academy, young men and women who have experienced cancer also took to the runway. The audience was also treated to music from talented young songstress Lauren Lovelle who dazzled the audience with her amazing voice.

Former cancer patient, 19-year-old Olivia Cork, who was recently nominated for Cheshire Woman of the Year, hosted the evening alongside top Ministry of Sound DJ James "Caino" Cain. Just 14 when she was diagnosed with bone cancer, Olivia underwent two cycles of chemotherapy and subsequently had to have her right leg amputated. She was treated on the Teenage Cancer Trust Unit at Alder Hey hospital in Liverpool.

She said: “The event was absolutely buzzing, and it was amazing seeing so many people gathered to support a good cause. After modelling at Runway on the Runway previously, it was amazing to host Fashion for a Reason. I want as many people to know about Teenage Cancer Trust as possible because they made my time in hospital much easier to cope with. Hopefully they will be able to help other young people going through cancer treatment.”

The evening also saw the exciting launch of brand new clothing line Made From Manchester, the brain child of Callum Ballantine and Samir Kamani, both 19, who came up with the concept after being directly affected by cancer.

The men’s and ladies’ t-shirts, all sporting iconic Manchester slogans, were unveiled on the catwalk at the end of the show. All profits from t-shirt sales will go to Teenage Cancer Trust.

Callum said: “We decided that all the profits we make selling each T-shirt will go towards Teenage Cancer Trust. The charity means a lot to us after seeing the affect it can have on young people first hand.

“I was diagnosed with a bone cancer called Osteosarcoma this year and have been receiving treatment in the Teenage Cancer Trust unit at The Christie Hospital. Since then, I have been fortunate enough to be able to spend time with people my own age and to partake in activities that normal teenagers would want to. It was easy for us to pick Teenage Cancer Trust as the charity we wanted to support after seeing how beneficial it can be to support teenagers like me going through this awful disease.”

One of the North West's most promising young singer songwriters, Lauren Lovelle, who is releasing her first album in spring 2016, provided musical entertainment.

As well as fundraising tirelessly for Teenage Cancer Trust, Margo Cornish runs The Cinderella Project, a scheme which offers young women with cancer bespoke beauty experiences. They offer full makeovers and designer dresses to ensure that a young woman can be the ‘Belle of the Ball’ at any event – a prom or a birthday party – despite having cancer.

She said: “The event was a huge success, which wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing support from the North West community, generous sponsors and supporters. Not only did Fashion for a Reason raise awareness, it also helped raise vital funds to support young people with cancer.”

Vanessa Simmons, Fundraising Manager for the North West at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “Seeing young people who have been affected by cancer take to the catwalk was hugely inspiring. To witness their passion for fashion whilst raising awareness of the support that Teenage Cancer Trust provides was truly incredible.”