Students’ fashion fundraiser for St Michael’s Hospice

A Level student Archie Young, from Hastings, persuaded the vivacious Dame Vivienne to donate to the Rye Studio School auction following a recent spell of work experience.

It has not yet been revealed what Dame Vivienne is donating, but it is expected to generate a lot of interest.

St Michael’s is a cause close to the hearts of the students as one member of the auction team, Talitha, has seen first hand the work of the St Leonards-based hospice.

Talitha’s 30-year-old uncle was diagnosed with bowel cancer in February 2014. In October the family discovered the illness was terminal.

She said: “This year around March he started to get a lot worse, we found out the cancer had spread all around his body and even his brain.

“I can’t put into words how torn we were. We had to take care of him with help from all our family, watching him slowly deteriorate.

“It was so hard as a family and we was struggling. Until we got the help of the wonderful carers at Michael’s Hospice. He had his own lovely room, with beautiful gardens.

“He got all the attention he needed 24/7, they got to know him as a person and us as a family, we felt very close with them. He was in the best hands possible and we are so thankful for that.”

After three weeks, Talitha’s uncle returned home where he was regularly visited by the St Michael’s at home service.

She said: “This helped and put our family at ease a lot, until May 12 when he peacefully passed.

“I can’t tell you how in pieces our family were, however we couldn’t have done it without the help of St Michaels.

“St Michael’s Hospice is a massive part of mine and my family’s life, which is why I want to raise money for them, to carry on helping other family like mine.”

Other lots up for grabs include necklaces, shoes and purses, worth up to £975, donated by Cosmopolitan Magazine’s fashion and style director Shelly Vella.

Hastings-based jewellery designer Julie Tucker-Williams is donating £140 worth of pieces for a £5 raffle.

The auction takes place at Rye Studio School from 6.30pm. Tickets cost £5 and are available from www.fashionauction.eventbrite.co.uk

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