Hats off to fundraisers' efforts to honour Zoe

WITH costumes on loan from the Museum of Scotland and schoolchildren for models, it was a fashion show with a difference.

But what the organisers of the fourth annual Hatwalk lacked in style, they made up for in spirit as they aimed to raise £10,000 in memory of teenage cancer victim Zoe King.

Students from the Capital's Telford College had just one week to prepare for their roles as models and dancers in the extravaganza, strutting their stuff with hats created by both local schoolchildren and professional milliners.

The brainchild of hat designers Felicity Faichney and Fenella Kerr, this year's event will raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust's Remember Zoe appeal, in memory of the 18-year-old, who died last September after battling cancer for three years.

Ms Faichney said: "We originally came up with the idea as a simple showcase for hats, but it has become more theatrical every year, with massively energetic dancers and fantastic costumes.

"This year it is a truly magical show and there have been some amazing hats. The pupils of Leith Academy, for example, used the Alice in Wonderland theme to create a teapot hat and a deck of cards hat."

Ms Kerr added: "We rely a huge amount on the goodwill of the people who help us and everything is done by volunteers. If we raise £10,000 for our chosen charity, that would be absolutely brilliant."

The performance was opened by children from the Lyceum Youth Theatre, with the youngest dancer aged just ten.

Their costumes were loaned by the Museum of Scotland and their hats made by period hat-maker Jane Smith.

Schoolchildren from in and around Edinburgh also paraded their own creations on the stage. Kirstyn Hoffman, 14, from Dalkeith High School, said: "I was a wee bit nervous before I went on stage, when I first heard the music, but I really enjoyed it.

"I'd describe the hat I'm wearing as a nature hat – it has leaves made out of wire and tissue painted green."

Myra Cameron, head of performing arts at Telford College, said: "This has been a brilliant chance for students across the college and secondary pupils to work together. The pupils are from as far away as Newbattle High School in Midlothian so it really is a Lothians venture."

Funds raised by Hatwalk will go towards providing special wards for teenage cancer sufferers.

Lynne McNicoll, a fundraiser for the Teenage Cancer Trust, said: "Felicity and Fenella approached us and we were delighted to be involved, partly because it involved teenagers and that is so relevant to us, and also because it is so much fun.

"Zoe was an extraordinary young woman living every day to the full.

"She modelled for us last year, so she would have loved all of this fashion and theatre."

Further performances take place today at 2pm and 7.30pm at St Stephen's Church, St Stephen Street, Stockbridge.