More than 40 Nelson and Colne College students took part in a charity fashion show raising over £1,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Organised by the Pendle Hill Fundraisers for Cancer Research UK, the Stand Up to Cancer Fashion Show at The ACE Centre in Nelson was attended by around 100 people and raised a total of £1,059.30.

Alongside fashion displays from M&Co. in Clitheroe and Blue Ginger in Keighley, NCC A Level and vocational students in the Creative and Media department showed off and modelled some of their own clothing and jewellery designs and filmed and photographed the event.

The College’s Hair and Beauty students were also integral to the show, working away backstage on hair and make-up as well as taking it in turn to model on the catwalk.

Vocational Art and Design student Cerys Wrigglesworth, 17, said: “I found it a really good experience as I was creating individual pieces for a fashion show featuring designer clothing from established retailers.

“It was nice to be able to support the charity too – I had a family member who has had cancer and I weaved her name into my pieces to give them a personal touch.”

Hair and Beauty student Elise Munroe, 17, said: “I really enjoyed the fashion show – I was very busy creating unique looks for the models. It was a good way for me to use my skills on a live brief. I want to get into TV work in the future and I think having the experience of working on fashion shows will be very useful.”

Maggie Cannon, Secretary of the Pendle Hill Fundraisers for Cancer Research UK, said: “It was a fantastic evening and we raised a really good total for the charity.

“I was very impressed with the collections the students had created out of upcycled materials and I would like to thank the students and Nelson and Colne College staff for supporting the event.”

Sarah Holmes, Nelson and Colne College Curriculum Leader for Art and Design said: “The fashion show was a brilliant opportunity for our students to showcase their creative fashion and textile skills in a professional setting. Alongside creating their fabulous garments, they have also learned such a lot about working in an environment like this under pressure.

“Several of the learners who took part are destined for progression to university to study fashion and textile related degrees or for Apprenticeships in the industry. It was great to see students working so professionally together on the night for such a great cause.”

In its latest set of results, NCC achieved a 99.7% pass rate at A Level and a 100% pass rate in vocational courses. In the summer, the college was named as the top college in the country for learner achievement at all ages and levels and second in the country for its 16-18 Apprenticeship success.

Government data also places NCC as the best college in Lancashire for A Levels and the top college in the area for vocational courses, based on progress scores, while it is also the best college in Lancashire for student satisfaction, according to the FE Choices Learner Satisfaction Survey.

The next NCC Year 11 Open Event will be on Monday 5 February from 5.30pm until 7.30pm and there will be a Year 9 and 10 Open Event on Monday 30 April between 5.30pm and 7.30pm.

For more information about Nelson and Colne College contact 01282 440272 or visit www.nelson.ac.uk