Manx Blind Welfare Society’s first fashion show attracted a capacity audience and raised more than ?2,000 to support its work with blind and visually impaired people across the Isle of Man.
The event, which showed off a range of clothing available to buy from its shop, The VIP Store, took place on Sunday (5th March) at the Society’s headquarters, Corrin Court in Onchan.
Tickets sales, donations, a raffle and the sale of clothes modelled on the day helped raise more than ?2,000 to support the Society’s essential work with visually impaired people. It relies entirely on fundraising, donations and legacies to provide free services and support including a talking book library, weekly recorded news service, computer training, specialist equipment, social events, advice and more.
The show presented a sample of the nearly-new clothing the public has generously donated to The VIP Store, which opened in Strand Street, Douglas, in 2015. Society staff, volunteers and members took to the catwalk to model the clothes.
Office Manager Kerry Macduffie, who organised the event, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted our first fashion show proved such as huge success; we had an enthusiastic audience, raised a tremendous amount of money and everyone had a great time.
‘After showing off just a small selection of the fabulous clothes on sale at The VIP Store we hope to see plenty of bargain-hunters calling in soon.’
She added: ‘I’d like to thank our sponsor Conister Bank for its commitment and support, as well as Rileys and Premier Flooring who did so much to help us stage the show. I’d also like to thank everyone who gave up their time to model and organise the show, Geoff Corkish for being our entertaining compere and, of course, everyone who came along.
‘The Society’s work is only possible thanks to generous donations and fundraising, so the fashion show will make a real difference to the lives of blind and visually impaired people in the Isle of Man. If you weren’t able to make the show don’t worry, you can call into The VIP Store and support the Society by picking yourself up a bargain.’
To find out more about the work of MBWS, visit www.mbws.org.im.
Photo - Society member Richard Adams and Melanie Maxwell.
