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Organised as the highlight of the Glades’ Breast Cancer Awareness activities this year, the special fashion show proved a real hit with shoppers, many of whom had paid £5 for a seat at the fundraiser. “I couldn’t believe the response from the audience,” said model Melanie Martin, 48, a Service Centre Supervisor from Petts Wood. “They were so supportive that I forgot all about my nerves.”

The exceptional team of models – all of whom are either being treated for breast cancer or are in remission from the disease – were showcasing the latest Autumn trends available at the Glades in a spectacular show choreographed by Danielle Harrison, Manager of the dance troupe DIVERSITY, winners of this year’s ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ TV show.

Inspirational women
Despite suffering from the devastating emotional and physical effects of the disease, the models at today’s show remain remarkably upbeat about their experiences. Melanie Norris from XXXXX was diagnosed four years ago at the age of 34, when her children were aged just four and two. “It was a very long year but slowly and surely I recovered and, four years on, I see the whole experience as a positive one,” she says. “I’m more confident and determined to enjoy life, as you really never know what‘s just around the corner.”

Sally Glynn, a Finance Officer at Bickley Primary School, agrees with this sentiment. Sally, whose cancer was discovered by a mammogram just after turning 50, admits, “I thought it was the end of my world when I was diagnosed but I now know that’s just not true. There is life after breast cancer but it must be lived to the full because now I know how precious it is!”

Amanda Featherstone, a Financial Advisor’s PA from Farnborough, is the only patient with recent modelling experience. “I’ve been the model for Marks and Spencer’s post-surgery bras this year,” she explains. “It’s been an odd experience to see myself on large posters in-store, but I think it’s great that retailers are now catering for women like me.” Amanda, 40, is currently featured on the Breakthrough Breast Cancer website, where she tells her story, including how it was her daughter Hannah, then aged two, who discovered her cancer. “She was the one who spotted the pea-sized lump on my left breast,” says Amanda. “She put her finger right on a lump and she said ‘What’s that?’ I put my finger where hers was and I felt it.”

For Toni Savastano from Petts Wood, cancer proved to be life-changing in many ways. Says 40-year-old Toni, “I was only 35 when I was diagnosed and the news came completely out of the blue. I had to have a mastectomy and chemotherapy but I’m in remission now and feel great. I even completed the 26-mile Playtex Moonwalk this year. Breast cancer gave me the kick I needed to do something I had always wanted to do,” continues Toni, “which was to train as a florist and it’s proved to be the best thing I ever did!”

Funding vital equipment
The models have all been under the care of the specialist breast cancer team at Farnborough’s Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH). They were encouraged to strut their stuff for the cause by Lee Burgess, Breast Care Nurse at the hospital, who was present at today’s fashion show to cheer her patients on. The PRUH’s Consultant Breast Surgeon, Mr Anil Desai, is leading a campaign to raise £60,000 to purchase a machine known as a sentinel lymph node analyser and it is this fund that will benefit from the money raised at the fashion show. Currently, women have to wait about two weeks for the results of a sentinel node biopsy but this new piece of equipment will enable the team at the PRUH to carry out the analysis and all the required lymph surgery in one operation, improving the lives of patients and also saving the hospital money.

‘Bra of Inspiration’
Another key fundraiser for the Glades’ Breast Cancer Awareness event was the ever-popular ‘Bra of Inspiration’. Over the past few weeks, this supersized bra has come to life as shoppers have added beautiful silk roses – purchased for a suggested donation of £1 – to the display as a tribute to a friend or loved one who has been touched by breast cancer. Anyone placing a rose has also had the opportunity to write a short, inspirational message or dedication, which has then been attached to the reverse of the display.

Says Maria Cooper, Marketing Manager at the Glades, “We’re absolutely delighted with the success of this fundraising fashion event today, which has been a fabulous start to our Autumn Fashion Shows. I’d like to thank our courageous models and also our retailers and staff, who have joined in with the pink theme of Breast Cancer Awareness by dressing their windows with pink merchandise, sporting pink clothing and accessories and generally adding to the fun of the whole event.”