{"id":4653,"date":"2014-04-04T10:28:44","date_gmt":"2014-04-04T08:28:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ceidiog.com\/pr\/?p=4653"},"modified":"2019-04-24T11:57:02","modified_gmt":"2019-04-24T09:57:02","slug":"soap-stars-turn-out-to-make-dreams-come-true-for-terminally-ill-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ceidiog.com\/pr\/news\/soap-stars-turn-out-to-make-dreams-come-true-for-terminally-ill-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Soap stars turn out to make dreams come true for terminally ill children"},"content":{"rendered":"

TV heart-throb Ashley Taylor-Dawson and two pals from Hollyoaks added glamour to \u00a0a fashion extravaganza at a busy shopping centre to make dreams come true for terminally ill children.<\/p>\n

Ashley\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

A troupe of 30 professional models and \u00a0cute children showcased the latest trends from the centre\u2019s top fashion stores – including Next, River Island<\/a>, H&M, Officers Club and Miss Selfridge – on a purple catwalk.<\/p>\n

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The show was masterminded by Wirral-based Frame Modelling and Casting Agency.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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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\u2019s hospital wards and hospices.<\/p>\n

Ashley, who plays Darren Osbourne in Hollyoaks and won a legion of new fans while \u00a0strutting his stuff on Strictly Come Dancing, was delighted to have the opportunity to take part.<\/p>\n

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He said: \u201cIt\u2019s all good, we\u2019ve got great weather and it\u2019s a fun day out for a great cause. It also shows you can get everything you need from the Wirral. You don\u2019t need to go into town.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nick Pickard, who plays Tony Hutchinson in the Channel 4 soap, added: \u201cIt\u2019s 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\u2019re still kids at the end of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n

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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: \u201cI\u2019ve absolutely loved today. I\u2019m pleased with the turnout, pleased with the weather, all of the models look gorgeous, and everyone\u2019s worked really hard for a great cause. It shows there\u2019s a fantastic community spirit here.<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up coming to the Pyramids. I used to come here to buy my school uniform. There\u2019s 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\u2019t recognise the place.\u201d<\/p>\n

Georgia Thomas, 11, a massive Hollyoaks fan from Birkenhead, couldn\u2019t believe he eyes when she saw her TV favourites, Nick, Ashley and Jasmine.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cWhen I saw then I was just like ‘oh my God’. I think it\u2019s amazing to have them here.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cHe\u2019s had a lovely day out. I wasn\u2019t 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\u2019ve got the celebs here, and it\u2019s all for a good cause, so you can\u2019t ask for more than that really. Everyone\u2019s a winner.<\/p>\n

Frame Modelling and Casting Agency director Laura Seymour, was thrilled with how the show went.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe children have absolutely stolen the show. All of the models look fantastic. We\u2019re showcasing over 80 pieces and the shops at the Pyramids have been really helpful with that.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got London Fashion Week, you\u2019ve got Liverpool Fashion Week, and now it\u2019s time for Wirral Fashion Weekender to show that we can do it too. We want to showcase the fashion and the talent that\u2019s available on the Wirral. There\u2019s a lot of local pride on display today.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe celebrities who\u2019ve 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\u2019re always there at the drop of a hat.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere a lot of star-struck fans about. The kids like to see people they see on the TV and it\u2019s a little buzz for them.<\/p>\n

Derek Millar, Commercial Director of Pyramids Shopping Centre, said: \u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n

“There was a really positive vibe around the shopping centre and everyone had a great time.”<\/p>\n

For more information about Starlight please visit <\/b>www.starlight.org.uk<\/b><\/a> and for more information about the Pyramids Shopping Centre go to <\/b>www.pyramidsbirkenhead.com<\/b><\/a> <\/b><\/p>\n

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