Sixth formers from Walsall Academy are becoming models for the day to raise much-needed funds for local disabled and terminally ill children.
The girls will be modelling the latest in prom, evening and cocktail fashions from Newlife, along with a selection of jewellery, bags and tiaras, in a fashion show at the school in Lichfield Road, Bloxwich, on May 2.
Organised by head girl Demetrizia Cabatingan and the academy’s director of student services Helen Martin, the show will be the second that has been staged there. The first, last year, raised over £700 for Newlife Foundation, the leading charity for disabled and terminally ill children in the UK.
Helen said: “We were really pleased with what we raised last year, as it was the first time we had organised anything like it. This year we are hoping to make it even bigger and better, with Newlife providing up to 100 dresses.”
The academy is involving all Year 11 and Sixth Form pupils in the event – some will work behind the scenes, others will help stage lighting and sound.
“Hospitality and catering students from the academy will be making a selection of ‘mocktails’, non-alcoholic drinks, and nibbles which will be sold in aid of Newlife to help to boost funds,” Helen added.
Clothing for the event is being supplied by Newlife Trading Ltd in Cannock, which exists solely to support leading UK children’s disability charity Newlife Foundation. The trading company works with around 150 High Street chains to recycle and retail the stores’ surplus and returned stock at discount prices. The proceeds support the charity which operates a national Nurse Helpline, funds vital disability equipment and offers an emergency equipment loan service to the families of end-of-life children.
Newlife puts disabled and terminally ill children at the heart of everything it does. There are 770,000 children affected by disability in the UK, whether inborn or acquired through accident or illness, yet it is estimated that 250,000 of these families struggle to get essential equipment.
Newlife offers support and guidance to families through its specialist Nurse Helpline, who listen and understand each family’s needs.
It provides equipment such as specialist car seats for safe travel, beds for complex care needs, wheelchairs that enable children to go to school, and communication aids which allow them to tell their parents if they are in pain.
It also has a Just Can’t Wait scheme to supply urgent equipment for terminally ill children sent within 72 hours of the request.
100 per cent of funds raised from the fashion show will go to help disabled children – not a penny will be taken out for anything else.
Web: https://newlifecharity.co.uk Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/newlifecharity Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/newlifefoundation YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/NewlifeFoundation
