On 22 May, students at North Cambridge Academy, part of Meridian Trust, enjoyed a Prom-themed fashion show, featuring dresses provided by East Anglia Children’s Hospices’ (EACH) uk/local/cherry-hinton/">Cherry Hinton Road retail outlet with support from Stephen Perse Cambridge, a family of independent schools in Cambridge and Saffron Walden.
The fashion show was organised by Year 10 student, Georgi, to showcase his original textile designs and expanded to include a showcase of dresses for students to choose from ahead of this year’s prom event. Janet Magee, a governor at Stephen Perse Cambridge, arranged a collaboration between EACH and Stephen Perse Cambridge to provide a selection of dresses for students, inspired by a Cambridge 2030 supporter’s contribution last year.
Each of the dresses was carefully chosen and prepared for the show by EACH volunteers and staff at the Cherry Hinton Road shop. The clothing for the fashion show was purchased by staff at EACH and Stephen Perse Cambridge, providing valuable income for the charity, which generates around 28 per cent of its income from retail and trading.
Lou Myers, Manager, EACH Cherry Hinton Road, said:
“We’re delighted to have been able to support North Cambridge Academy’s students as they prepare for their prom. We’re incredibly grateful to Stephen Perse Cambridge for its collaboration and to our dedicated volunteers and retail team at Cherry Hinton Road, whose hard work helped make this initiative possible.
“By giving these dresses a second life, we’ve not only helped create special memories for young people but also highlighted the positive impact that donations to our shops can have within the local community.”
Jane Driver, Principal, North Cambridge Academy, said:
“Our Year 11 Leavers’ Prom is a special celebration that our students look forward to with anticipation every year. While we make every effort to keep costs as low as possible for our families, we understand that the associated costs of prom can be challenging. The generosity of the team at EACH Cherry Hinton Road and our long-term partner, Stephen Perse Cambridge, means that students who want to attend prom can enjoy an evening with their friends, without worrying about whether they can afford a dress for the occasion.”
Heidi Hall, Executive Director, Stephen Perse Cambridge, said:
“Collaboration is the architect of opportunity, and this is evident in this year’s partnership between North Cambridge Academy, EACH and Stephen Perse Cambridge. In turn, our governor’s actions were inspired by a partnership between North Cambridge Academy and St John’s Innovation Centre that she learned about at a Cambridge 2030 event earlier this year. Helping to give students the opportunity to celebrate the end of their academic journey together is very special and is a testament to the power of a community coming together for a common goal.”
To learn more about how you can support EACH, visit: https://www.each.org.uk/get-involved/retail/how-to-donate
To learn how your business can support young people in North Cambridge, visit https://cambridge2030.org/north-cambridge/north-cambridge-futures
