Nurses and doctors modelling at John Lewis fashion show in aid of Build it Together appeal
Meet our models – just a few of the staff members and volunteers walking in tomorrow's fashion show, raising money for our Build it Together new hospice appeal.
We’re so excited to be partnering with John Lewis Cheadle for a Fashion Show tomorrow evening (Thursday 12th October) in aid of our Build it Together appeal. The appeal is raising the final £2 million that we need to build a much-needed new hospice in Heald Green, Stockport.
The catwalk show will feature doctors, nurses, volunteers and other members of the St Ann’s team modelling festive fashions from across John Lewis’s women’s, men’s and children’s wear ranges.
Our fabulous models have been attending their appointments over the last week with John Lewis Cheadle’s stylists, who have specially chosen outfits for each person based on their colouring and body shape.
The models will be glammed up on the night by one of John Lewis’s premium makeup concessions in store, before having a drinks reception and getting dressed in their outfits for one of the two shows – Autumn/Winter Fashion and Partywear.
Here our models tell us about what they do at St Ann’s and being part of the John Lewis fashion show.
I started at the hospice two and a half years ago. My friend and I really enjoyed doing the Midnight Walk this year and I raised just over £300. I decided to do the fashion show because I did one aged seven and it was loads of fun! I thought this would be fun too and nice to do something with colleagues. I think one thing you learn at the hospice is that life is too short, so why not?! I'm looking forward to having some of my friends and family come along to the fashion show to support me – I’ve told them I'm doing it so it's too late to back out now! Roisin, Specialty Doctor
I’ve been at St Ann’s for three years now. I have done fundraising for St Ann’s before – I raised just over £300 for illustrating windows and doors in the hospice in Christmas 2020 and we couldn’t have Christmas decorations on the ward. I got involved in the fashion show because I thought it was a good opportunity to push myself out of my comfort zone. I have also returned back from maternity leave in the last six months and thought it would be a way to boost my self-confidence after having a baby. I also really believe in celebrating real bodies of all shapes and sizes. I’m most looking forward to getting glammed up – and a break away from my two small children for the evening (who I love immensely by the way!) Jodie, Staff Nurse, Heald Green Inpatient Unit
I’ve worked for 20 years at the Heald Green site, so I see every day how our current building is deteriorating and how essential it is that we get a new hospice built for our local communities. I jumped at the chance to model at the John Lewis Fashion Show – what a treat to do something different, raise vital funds and get my makeup done! Lesley, Outpatient Clinical Services Secretary
I’ve been at the hospice for 23 years, since March 2000. I was on the ward until 2016 then moved to what’s now The Being You Centre. I ended up working for the hospice after working at a hospital as a link nurse and going on a course where I spent a week at St Ann’s. I had had several bad experiences with people dying in hospital and not having the deaths they wanted or their wishes not being fulfilled. After spending the week at St Ann’s I realised that’s where I wanted to be. I modelled at a previous St Ann’s fashion show with Lesley and another colleague in 2015, and we loved it! I’ve fundraised and been involved in things at St Ann’s before. I did Born Survivor a few years ago with colleagues. It’s really nice to do something for someone you work for when it’s a charity. Jo, Staff Nurse, Heald Green Being You Centre
I’ve been at St Ann’s for almost five years. I love my job for so many reasons! But, particularly because it gives me a unique and humbling opportunity to support patients and their loved ones at such a challenging season in their lives. I don’t know why I said yes to walking in the fashion show as it’s really out of my comfort zone! I’ve never done anything like this before. I’ve bene involved with hospice events like Light up a Life, and my husband has also done some fundraising for the hospice. I’m just looking forward to having a bit of fun with my colleagues on the night! Lucy, Senior Staff Nurse, Heald Green Inpatient Unit
Tickets for the fashion show are £15 per person and include a glass of fizz on arrival, a hand massage from the St Ann’s Complementary Therapy Team and Clarins, entertainment from the Crystal Chords Barbershop Chorus and a £5 voucher to spend at John Lewis.
They will be on sale right up to the start of tomorrow’s event at 5:30pm. To purchase a ticket, click here.