Patients and carers from East Cheshire Hospice's motor neurone disease (MND) group took to the catwalk in a unique fashion show, raising £300 for the charity. The event, held at the Sunflower Living Well Centre, featured models in borrowed clothes from the hospice's Knutsford shop, with some participating in wheelchairs. A glass of fizz and afternoon tea added to the occasion.
Models Overcome Health Challenges
Co-organiser Jill Harding, a long-serving health care assistant, praised the participants: “They’re a special group of incredible people and so brave. MND is a one-way street. Around a dozen members at varying stages of the disease meet here monthly. They’re such a happy, fun bunch and support each other. I thought the aisle in the middle of the room would make a good catwalk and it all went from there.”
Harding admitted initial uncertainty: “We didn’t know how it’d go. We’d never done anything like that before, but everyone joined in. One or two weren’t sure initially but by the end we couldn’t get them off stage. Some also bought items modelled.”
Monthly MND Sessions Offer Support
The MND sessions, led by senior physio Alice Waterhouse, cover various topics related to the condition. Other charities have visited the hospice to understand the success of their wellbeing days. Harding explained: “We spend an hour on a chosen subject before volunteers, who tend to be ex-hospice employees, accompany the carers who talk about matters they might not otherwise discuss in front of loved ones. Meanwhile, patients have treatments such as reflexology, a massage, or use the VR headsets.”
Newcomers are made to feel welcome, despite initial fears. Harding noted: “Coming here for the first time can be daunting. People don’t know what to expect. Some say they’re frightened visiting somewhere with the word Hospice in it. A few patients are reluctant to attend the MND group. They may send loved ones instead which is fine. The MND group can see each other declining, but they keep each other buoyed up. They’re amazing.”
Patient Brian West Encourages Others
MND patient Brian West and his wife Elsa took part in the fashion show. Brian said: “I’d never done anything like that before, but when you realise you haven’t got that many days left, you think, ‘Why not just go for it?’ I think it’s the same with everyone else. The fashion show was great fun. We even did a twirl on the catwalk.”
