PARIS or Milan it not have been, but Saffron Walden became its own a fashion capital last week with a show which raised thousands of pounds for charity.

The Town Hall provided the backdrop and a specially-designed cat walk was installed so that the models, all of whom had volunteered their time, could strut the wares of the town’s independent retailers.

A sell out audience ensured the event, organised for and on behalf of Wallace Cancer Care, raised �2600.

Organiser Kirsty Keegan was delighted with the way the event panned out, and how much was raised.

“All of us at Wallace Cancer Care would like to thank Bidwells, our sponsors for the event who provided wonderful support in the form of models and volunteers, as well as ensuring we were able to cover most of our overheads for the evening,” she said.

“We would especially like to thank all of the wonderful retailers of Saffron Walden and their models for lending their time to support such a wonderful cause – without them we would not have been able to make the evening such a success. They are testament to the spirit of Saffron Walden.

“A big thanks also go to all those who helped behind the scenes in the form of make up artists, hair stylists, dressers, runners and general organisers. There were three who deserve a special mention – Mike Rowland who did the sound, Kirsty Hoare who stage-managed the event and Karen Downs who ran around making sure everyone was in place to strut their stuff on the catwalk.”

A raffle and bar supplemented the amount raised – all the money will go to Wallace to provide complementary therapies and group support sessions to cancer patients, their carers and families for free in Cambridge and the surrounding areas.

Organisers are already planning an event in Saffron Walden next year. Watch this space!