AN EVENING of fashion and fundraising netted nearly £6,000 for charities.

The Wellington Boot Club hosted its Ladies Charity Fashion Gala event at Audleys Wood Hotel on Friday, 27 April with over 120 guests attending.

Nearly £3,000 was raised on the night in aid of The Pink Place, Cardiac Rehab - Alton and Hope for Justice but, in addition, Barclays supported the event with their matched “pound for pound” initiative which doubled funds to raise £6,000 to be shared among the charities.

Guests enjoyed a four course meal and could browse stalls while the show featured an array of 82 outfits, plus 50 hats and fascinators, showcased by 17 volunteer models.

The event was months in the planning steered by Marina Wooldridge, owner of Honeysuckle Interiors who is also a member of the Ladies Wellington Boot Club.

She said: “The success of the evening was down to a huge team effort there was so much to co-ordinate. Thanks go to all who made it possible. Our MC Paul Turner, the Wellington Boot Club ladies, the models, Liam Maguire from Slaters, Janis Taylor from Taylors Hair & Beauty for doing hair and make-up, Anna Fairs Photography for the beautiful images, the backstage crew, the volunteer helpers, the stall holders and finally the staff at Audleys Wood for working tirelessly throughout the evening.

“Special thanks to Julie Stent and the Barclays management team for supporting us with the pound for pound initiative too – it made all the hard work worthwhile.”