Rock the Catwalk raises up to £25,000 for charity

Mar 16 2010 Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A HEROIC effort by the team behind the rapturously received Rock the Catwalk has dramatically exceeded expectations.

While organisers of the Help for Heroes (H4H) fundraiser had set their sights on a £10,000 target, early estimates suggest up to £25,000 may have been generated by Saturday’s stunning show at Perth Concert Hall.

And with about 30 collection boxes from the night yet to be counted, the figure could be even higher.

Despite understandable backstage pre-show nerves – compounded by the problem of how to get a police motorbike prop on and offstage safely – the fashion and dance spectacular was a resounding success.

Choreographer Jade Beatson described the event, which featured five dancers, 42 models and bands, Impulse and LMS, as the smoothest running show she had ever produced.

Meanwhile, show organiser, McEwens’ Georgina Bullough, who summed up her own runway stint as “nerve-wracking”, said she could not heap enough praise on the participants.

She said. “I am so very proud of all our staff, models and helpers – we were so well organised that everyone was able to relax a bit and enjoy it!"

However, in the day-long lead-up to curtain call, a small army was so frantically busy with backstage preparation, they were almost oblivious to the din of hairdryers and cacophony of bagpipers and other musicians tuning up.

“But by 7.25pm you could have heard a pin drop backstage as the professionals and amateurs gathered their private thoughts and tried to rein in the adrenalin to step out onto the stage,” she said.

Among about 1000 patrons were 130 Gold ticket holders enjoying VIP hospitality, including the Countess of Mansfield and hair salon boss John Gillespie.

McEwens staff were overwhelmed with calls and emails relaying positive feedback about Saturday’s Catwalk, the proceeds from which will help H4H rehabilitate injured military personnel.

l PICTURE SPECIAL IN FRIDAY’S PA