The great and good of Leeds will come together for the Bethany’s Smile Fashion Show at Headingley Experience, Headingley Carnegie Stadium on Thursday 28th February to raise money for Bethany’s Smile.
Bethany’s Smile began in 2010 when 12-year old Bethany Hare made a short fundraising video dressed as Charlie Chaplin. The video went viral, received global media coverage and donations poured in from around the world, which Bethany’s Smile donated to Martin House Children’s Hospice.
To date Bethany has raised over £34,000 for children with chronic and life threatening illnesses, through fundraisers including her ‘Walk of Smiles’. Donations to Bethany’s Smile go towards Martin House Children’s Hospice and other selected charities supporting children with life threatening conditions along with supporting families directly, with care outside the hospice environment. Bethany’s long-term aim is to raise £300,000 to build Smile Cottage, where families can go and spend quality time and build happy memories when they are faced with the news that their child has a very short life expectancy.
The Smile Fashion Show is being held at Headingley Experience at Headingley Carnegie Stadium. An idea of Bethany’s own fruition, 12 designers will be showing their collections and donating an item each to be auctioned live after the show, including a custom made outfit from Dazarockz to the highest bidder. The event is being organised in association with Leeds Fashion Show, who run an annual event which has developed into one of the most high profile dates in Yorkshire’s calendar.
George at Asda will also be showcasing their adult and children’s clothes on the catwalk after the staff of Asda Living in Guiseley chose Bethany’s Smile as one of three local charities to be supported. As a result both adults and children have been auditioning for the opportunity to walk in the Fashion Show.
Founder of Bethany’s Hare’s Smile Foundation, Bethany Hare, said: “I wanted to organize a fashion show like this to raise more money to be able to help and support lots of children who have serious illnesses. The support from Asda, Rhonda and Sherelle at Leeds Fashion Show, and the other businesses involved has been amazing. I can’t wait for the event now!”
Patron of Bethany’s Smile Charity is actor Matthew Lewis, who played Neville Longbottom in the film series Harry Potter and whose other credits include BBC One hit The Syndicate and Our Boys in London’s West End. Matthew and Manchester City footballer Micah Richards are just two of the celebrities and supporters hoping to attend.
Han Claxton Payne, a world-renowned professional dancer and recording artist who has danced with George Michael, at the Brit Awards, MOBO Awards, appeared in the film ‘Dog Soldiers’ plus many more attributes, is choreographing the evening which will feature 12 female models, 6 male models and 12 children.
A host of designers and fashion houses are supporting the Bethany’s Smile Fashion Show including: Zara Mia, Domanska+Bracken, Jag Kaur, Deepak Bhambra, Kendelle, Nicola Sharpe, Accent Clothing, Chimp, Belles Bejewelled, Asobi Fashion, Agwein Reid and SBC.
The fundraiser is also supported by Leeds Fashion Show, Sherelle Davidson and Rhonda Richards (organisers of Leeds Fashion Show), Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Cutting Room Creative, Creative Make-Up artist Pamela Clare, Asda in Guiseley, Scala Kids Performing Arts and Multitude Media.
