A charity fashion show to launch Panache of  Dorridge is believed to have raised just under £1,500 as a result of huge support for the event. The Liver Foundation at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, will benefit from the night’s proceeds.

The total raised was helped by generous prizes donated from surrounding businesses and by a successful raffle and auction. The figure raised will be announced in the press after a cheque presentation to Professor John Buckels, a pioneering liver specialist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Averil Smith, who opened her new ladies’ fashion shop Panache at The Square, Dorridge, at the beginning of August, organised the fashion night at The Stables, Nuthurst Grange, Hockley Heath, with help from friends Debbie Bulford and Di Nicholas.

Averil said: “So many people have given me their time, help and advice over the past few months that it was rewarding for them as well as me to see such huge support for the charity and Panache. “I shall be giving a different image at the shop, creating the ‘Chanel look’ for my ladies and also to tell them about new labels which I intend to have in stock in the New Year, including a larger range of sizes.”

Averil also thanked her sponsors for the evening – Richard Wallis of Wallis hairdressing who styled the hair of all the models, Crest Marquees for supplying the cat-walk, Mirror Image Discos, Swan Photography and Rensford Pryce of Pryce Designs who created the signwriting and branding for Panache.
Nine beautiful models who so generously gave their time were all local ladies and they modelled a range of nearly 100 outfits including stunning evening wear from John Charles and glamorous cocktail dresses from Joseph Ribkoff.