'Life after cancer' fashion show

Young models walking down the catwalk, to raise money for charity.

A charity fashion show, including new designs by George Davies, will take place in Yarm on Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 October.

Held at the Tall Trees Hotel, the event marks the tenth anniversary of the first fashion show by the charity A Celebration of Life after Cancer.

All of the models have, or have had, cancer and everyone involved in the show has been touched by it in some way.

Starting at 8pm, doors open at 6.30pm and all proceeds go to charity.

A Celebration of Life after Cancer founder, Mary Lee, told BBC Tees a bit more about the show, and why she started up the charity:

Mary Lee at the last fashion show.

"After having breast cancer about 18 years ago I realized that there was little help for women diagnosed with cancer.

"I found out about Breast Cancer Care and worked on a voluntary basis for them as their regional organiser.

"They ran a fashion show in London which aimed to show ladies how they could still wear the latest fashions despite having had mastectomies.

"I persuaded them to let me organize one on Teesside, and that's where the inspiration came from."

150 volunteers

"For the millennium I decided that I would like to do something for all kinds of cancer. This was the start of A Celebration of Life after Cancer which has now been running for almost 11 years!"

This is the charity's fifth fashion show, and Mary says it needs a lot of hands on deck to make it happen, including a lot of volunteers:

All the models taking part in our shows have had or have some form of cancer and the change in them as a result of taking part in the show is something to see. Mary Lee

"The event requires 26 models, 26 dressers, a committee of 35, two choreographers, a specialised lighting team, one sound technician plus recording studio time, a wardrobe master and assistant." Lists Mary.

"Not to mention raffle ticket sellers, tombola sellers, ushers, volunteers, an auctioneer, caterers and trade stands etc... so yes, all in all this one event needs about 150 people to make it happen."

Cancer isn't the end

"Each year the models, music, clothes and choreography change, but the message remains the same... that all the models have had cancer and are getting on with their lives.

"People coming to see the show will hopefully realize that cancer is not the end but in some instances, mine especially, it is just the beginning of something new.

"All the models have been inspirational, for example Vanessa Price who has had facial cancer but has cheerfully done a lot for people in similar circumstances, and Laura Ashurst who smiles constantly in the face of adversity.

"As a charity we produce a directory of self help groups and other sources of help which we give away to newly diagnosed patients through the hospitals and doctors' surgeries, including a DVD to help people newly diagnosed with cancer."

The fashion show takes place at the Tall Trees in Yarm from Tuesday 13 to Wednesday 14 October, starting at 8pm, with all funds raised going directly to the charity. Tickets are available from Barkers in Northallerton, The Teesside Hospice and The Butterwick Hospice or by calling Mary on 01642 712555.