Last night I went to the GFK Fashion Show at Somerset House, an event to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care and Chase Hospice Care for Children. Both organisations are charities and rely solely on donations and fundraising, so coming up with innovative ideas is a regular, necessary and valuable contribution to the running and continuing of the services these organisations provide.
Maggie Wall, GFK’s Senior Account Manager thought a fashion show would be the perfect way to do this and involved her co-workers who expressed their hidden model qualities as they strutted around the circular stage in their own unique way, accompanied by Sian, her sister Jade, Poppy and her sister Daisy, who use the services of Chase. Supermodel Caprice also made a special appearance, which I failed to capture due to my temperamental camera. Not pleased is an understatement.
Maggie Wall, GFK’s Senior Account Manager thought a fashion show would be the perfect way to do this and involved her co-workers who expressed their hidden model qualities as they strutted around the circular stage in their own unique way, accompanied by Sian, her sister Jade, Poppy and her sister Daisy, who use the services of Chase. Supermodel Caprice also made a special appearance, which I failed to capture due to my temperamental camera. Not pleased is an understatement.
Sian is 15 years old and has Di George syndrome, an inherited condition that occurs when a part of the DNA on chromosome 22 is missing. Several different genes are lost, resulting in a collection of different features, including problems with the immune system and congenital heart defects. I spoke with her mother Tina and sister Jade who gave me an insight into how important Chase is, for not only Sian but for the family as a whole.
Chase supports families in their own homes and communities and at their children’s hospice, Christopher’s. Care and support is offered 24 hours a day all year round at no cost to those who use the services, which are personalised to suit each family’s individual needs. The professionally trained staff provide valuable rest bites to parents, who are usually full-time carers. Poppy and Daisy’s parents also spoke highly of the organisation and the invaluable work they do in helping Daisy and their family right across the board.
I also spoke to Mary Freeman a nurse at Marie Curie, a charity that provides care for terminally ill patients in the community and within their hospices. Mary expressed her hands on role within the organisation which moved me. Putting patients and families first is the priority; delivering the right care in order to make every individual feel heard and respected. My ideas of what a hospice would be like changed from sad and scary to warm and loving after my interaction with Mary, which I feel is important to mention. Certain words like mental health and hospice for example have the ability to conjure up fear based thoughts and feelings within people, which do not necessarily represent the reality of the situation.
The evening was filled with fun and laughter, the latter predominately due to GFK’s Commercial Director Anthony’s hosting skills and Managing Director Ian McCann’s attempt as an auctioneer. You had to be there, is all I will say. However within the fun and laughter the reason why we were all at this event was never lost. Central to the work of Chase and Marie Curie is to make the time and moments count and GFK’s Fashion show did just that in raising money for two worthy causes.
If you would like to know more information, make a donation or get involved please visit their website:
Chase: http://www.chasecare.org.uk/
Marie Curie: http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/
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1.Inspirational You: Review
2.I'm Possible and so are you
3.Endless Possibilities
4.The Wosars
©2011 Lisa Bent
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