Hats off to Catwalk team

It started with a giant yellow banana in pyjamas racing down a smoke-filled catwalk and ended with whoops and cheers.Pupils at Bournside School were delighted with the success of their fundraising fashion show which raised almost £2,000 for the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research and Kambia Hospital.

The fashion show attracted crowds of more than 200 on each of two nights.

Organised by a Year 13 committee, the show, staged in the school hall, it took six weeks to put together.

Matthew Nolan, 17, headed up the committee. The former St Benedict's pupil said: "We've approached shops in Cheltenham asking them if we could hire outfits.

"A lot of hard work has gone into this, it's a massive event."

More than 100 models took to the catwalk and showed off their dancing, performing and entertaining skills as well as the clothes.

The cheering audience shouted friends' names and gave wolf whistles to hip-thrusting lads on stage.

Pupil Lily Doble, 17, who hosted the show, said: "Last year I wasn't in the show that much - I operated the smoke machine. I was new to the school and didn't know anyone.

"So going from backstage to presenting it has been a massive jump for me.

"In a way this show represents being accepted by my peers."

Josh Sanger, 17, staged managed the fashion show. He said: "It's definitely been worth it. Seeing it all put together and everyone really happy and enjoying it is great. It's quite an achievement to have done it all."

Head of sixth form David Proudlove said: "It was a spectacular event.

"We're very proud of the students who organised it."

October 2007