TV heart-throb Ashley Taylor-Dawson and two pals from Hollyoaks added glamour to a fashion extravaganza at a busy shopping centre to make dreams come true for terminally ill children.
Ashley and fellow cast members Nick Pickard and Jasmine Franks signed autographs and posed for photographs for star-struck fans during the event in aid of the Starlight charity at the Pyramids Shopping Centre in fans in Birkenhead.
A troupe of 30 professional models and cute children showcased the latest trends from the centre’s top fashion stores – including Next, River Island, H&M, Officers Club and Miss Selfridge – on a purple catwalk.
The show was masterminded by Wirral-based Frame Modelling and Casting Agency.
It was hosted by actress Suzanne Collins, who played Nikki Chadwick in Brookside, and the music was supplied by top Ibiza DJ Sean Hughes who has performed alongside the likes of Paul Oakenfold and Calvin Harris.
Starlight is a UK-wide charity, whose supporters include Prince William and Stephen Fry, which brightens the lives of seriously and terminally ill children by granting wishes and providing fun, entertainment, laughter and for youngsters on children’s hospital wards and hospices.
Ashley, who plays Darren Osbourne in Hollyoaks and won a legion of new fans while strutting his stuff on Strictly Come Dancing, was delighted to have the opportunity to take part.
He said: “It’s all good, we’ve got great weather and it’s a fun day out for a great cause. It also shows you can get everything you need from the Wirral. You don’t need to go into town.”
Nick Pickard, who plays Tony Hutchinson in the Channel 4 soap, added: “It’s for Starlight which is a fantastic cause, because the money raised goes to help terminally ill children go to Disney Land and Lapland and things like that. They’re still kids at the end of the day.”
Suzanne Collins, who has recently finished filming for feature film called Soft Lad, and directed by Leon Lopez, her ex on-screen boyfriend from Brookside, said: “I’ve absolutely loved today. I’m pleased with the turnout, pleased with the weather, all of the models look gorgeous, and everyone’s worked really hard for a great cause. It shows there’s a fantastic community spirit here.
“I grew up coming to the Pyramids. I used to come here to buy my school uniform. There’s so much here, and the place has really developed over the years. If you went away for a couple of years and came back you wouldn’t recognise the place.”
Georgia Thomas, 11, a massive Hollyoaks fan from Birkenhead, couldn’t believe he eyes when she saw her TV favourites, Nick, Ashley and Jasmine.
She said: “When I saw then I was just like ‘oh my God’. I think it’s amazing to have them here.”
Christina Williams, 34, a trainee accountant from Moreton, beamed with pride when her two-year-old son Taylor trotted down the catwalk with his friend Macey Roberts, two.
She said: “He’s had a lovely day out. I wasn’t sure how it was going to go with him being so young, but he took to it really well. The kids look really nice in their clothes. The sun is out, we’ve got the celebs here, and it’s all for a good cause, so you can’t ask for more than that really. Everyone’s a winner.
Frame Modelling and Casting Agency director Laura Seymour, was thrilled with how the show went.
“The children have absolutely stolen the show. All of the models look fantastic. We’re showcasing over 80 pieces and the shops at the Pyramids have been really helpful with that.
“You’ve got London Fashion Week, you’ve got Liverpool Fashion Week, and now it’s time for Wirral Fashion Weekender to show that we can do it too. We want to showcase the fashion and the talent that’s available on the Wirral. There’s a lot of local pride on display today.
“The celebrities who’ve come down have been great. Suzanne Collins has supported us with a lot of charity events. Nick Pickard and the crew from Hollyoaks have been doing stuff with us for years, and helped us with a lot of good causes. They give their time and they’re always there at the drop of a hat.
“There a lot of star-struck fans about. The kids like to see people they see on the TV and it’s a little buzz for them.
Derek Millar, Commercial Director of Pyramids Shopping Centre, said: “The Wirral Fashion Weekender is a great concept and shoppers really enjoyed the shows. There was a real buzz about the place and the atmosphere was s brilliant.
“There was a really positive vibe around the shopping centre and everyone had a great time.”
For more information about Starlight please visit www.starlight.org.uk and for more information about the Pyramids Shopping Centre go to www.pyramidsbirkenhead.com
