FOR the past 13 years the Macmillan Cancer Support Committee in Ilkley has held a charity fashion show in May.

It is always their largest fund raising event of the year, raising between £18,000 to £20,000 each year,

Due to the current Coronavirus crisis, this years’ event had to be cancelled, leaving a huge hole in the precious funds that Macmillan Ilkley raise for the Macmillan national charity.

Even though Coronavirus is at the forefront of everyone’s attention right now, people and their families are still having to deal with cancer. With the added pressure on the NHS at the moment, the vital support that Macmillan provides has never been as important as it is right now.

It was with this in mind that a group of volunteers who model each year decided to put together an online virtual fashion show in an attempt to raise some money towards Macmillan funds.

One of those volunteers Martin Alton, who came up with the idea and edited the video, said: “We are a group of volunteers who become ‘models’ for a night each year for this event, and we could not simply accept that this year we would not be able to help in raising vital funds for our favourite charity.

“Therefore, a plan was hatched to produce a ‘Garden Path & Patio’ fashion show. Everyone filmed their own clips under lockdown and using current social distancing rules. These were then collated and edited into our video.

“If you can spare 15 minutes to watch it, and hopefully enjoy what you see, any donation, big or small will really help in our quest to meet our target of £2,000.”

Macmillan Fundraising manager in Yorkshire Adele Burrough, who also features in the fashion show, said: “Being diagnosed with cancer is extremely tough at any time but receiving a cancer diagnosis in the midst of Covid-19 is especially difficult.

“People living with cancer need us more than ever and we need to ensure cancer does not become the #ForgottenC.

“Due to the challenging times over the past few months our income is likely to be down by 50 per cent this year, and as Macmillan is almost entirely funded by donations, we cannot continue to be there for all the people who need us without the support of the public. Every year the Ilkley Fundraising Committee host a fashion show and sadly this year’s live event had to be cancelled. Not to be beaten and knowing how much the fundraising is needed to Macmillan the incredible models decided to host a virtual show. I cannot thank them enough for their commitment and support. I was thrilled when I saw the finished version and the donations raised will all stay to support local people here in Yorkshire.”

Janet Alton of the Ilkley fundraising committee, whose son Martin came up with the idea, added: “What is so important to us - the Ilkley Fundraising Committee - is that this was done as a complete surprise for us.

“It took Martin about four weeks from start to finish with help from Rachel Peru and the support of everyone who regularly models for our annual Fashion Show.

“Other than Rachel who is a model, all of our models have their own jobs and they do this to support Macmillan and have a lot of fun doing it every year.

“Our Committee is so very grateful to everyone who took part in making this video.”

The fashion show features Daywear, Bridal Wear and ‘Eventual Coming out of Lockdown Wear - Party Wear.

To watch visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdhFNTWbBDA&t=591s

Or just search in Youtube for: Ilkley Macmillan Virtual Fashion Show 2020 - ‘Garden and Patio Fashion Show’

Donations can then be made online at: justgiving.com/fundraising/macmillanfashionshow2020