Cornwall Hospice Care’s sustainable fashion show success

Cornwall Hospice Care’s first sustainable fashion show has proved a huge success. Held in the stunning setting of Truro Cathedral, the event showcased the best of donated charity shop clothing. Wearing the items were Cornwall Hospice Care staff and volunteers who’d all offered to model.

Donated clothes are sustainable

In the last financial year Cornwall Hospice Care sold an incredible 1.1 million donated items. This in turn generated a profit of £1.65million that directly contributed to the cost of the care the charity provides to the people of Cornwall. The fashion show was devised to illustrate the sustainability of a charity shop item, saved from possible landfill to be sold on to be used and enjoyed once again. It also provided an opportunity to show people how the care can be provided thanks to shoppers and donors.

Fashion show models with a difference

The event, which was hosted by Neil Caddy of Hits Radio Cornwall, included ward staff from the charity’s two hospices modelling donated clothes.  Displayed in different themes from everyday wear to party outfits, they sashayed down the catwalk alongside colleagues and volunteers.  The outfits included designer made items, such as a £500 Alexander Wang coat, but models also showed off complete outfits that cost £25 or under.

A glittering sustainable fashion show

“It was a glittering occasion,” says Justine Cook who’s part of the Cornwall Hospice care retail team. “Not only did we showcase the range of extraordinary donated clothes we receive, but we also sold some of the outfits being modelled. We also featured other sustainable outlets that we work with, some of whom recycle items we can’t sell. It was a perfect way to show people how their donations and purchases ensure we can provide the end of life care we offer at our hospices and the bereavement services we run for, and in, the community.”

Celebrating second hand fashion

Justine’s co-event organiser was Megan Hampton; “We had an amazing evening in front of an audience of 420 people celebrating sustainable fashion and what it means for our hospices. There are too many people to thank by name here but all those who helped in any role from modelling to make-up, made a very special night happen as we showcased the best of second hand.”

A sustainable fashion show with a difference

Lisa Shephard is the charity’s Clinical Lead. Just before going on stage she said; “A few hours ago I was on the ward in uniform and now I’m all glammed up and heading for the catwalk. I’m very nervous. It’s quite surreal but it’s also important to show how vital our charity shops are to the work we do on our frontline.”

A collaborative fashion show

The event was sponsored by the Cornwall Ambulance Service and the Cornwall Hospice Care team were joined by students from Truro College who captured images throughout the evening and helped backstage. Also appearing on the catwalk were riders from the Cornwall Blood Bikes charity who work closely with Cornwall Hospice Care. Every aspect of the event was captured in a news style report that you can see HERE.

Proud of being a part of sustainability in Cornwall

“We’re well aware of how important it is to support sustainability in Cornwall and we’re delighted to play a part by giving donated items a second chance,” says Frazer Hopkins Cornwall Hospice Care’s Director of Income Generation.  “The fashion show gave us a valuable opportunity to showcase the range of clothes we offer in our charity shops across Cornwall from Bude to Penzance. Thanks to the involvement of some of our front line staff we were also able to emphasis the link between donations to our shops and the funding of the hospice and community bereavement care we provide. I owe everyone an enormous thank you for what was a spectacular evening.”