Fashion show to help teenage cancer patients

17/04/09

Tickets are on sale for a fashion show in memory of a 13 year old boy who lost his battle against a rare form cancer.

The show, on Tuesday 28 April, at Jesmond’s popular bar, ‘As You Like It,’ will be raising money for ‘The Robbie Anderson Cancer Trust’ which is working with Teenage Cancer Trust, the charity which helps young people fight cancer.

During Robbie Anderson’s 14 month battle against cancer, he set himself a wish - to help make other young cancer patients time in hospital more bearable. Since his death in March 2006, there has already been more than £35,000 raised in Robbie’s name through ‘The Robbie Anderson Cancer Trust’.

Georgie Bennion, 20, a family friend of the Anderson’s is organising the fashion show with a friend, Alicia Rawlings. Georgie said: “The fashion show is a great way of celebrating the work that Robbie did for other young people with cancer before he died, and helping to raise as much money as possible. It’s going to be a great night, so please buy a ticket and help support this great cause.”

Heather Bowen, Teenage Cancer Trust Regional Appeals Manager for the North East said: “We are delighted that Robbie’s family have decided to join with Teenage Cancer Trust. Six young people, like Robbie, are diagnosed with cancer every single day. For many they will be treated on a ward with very young children or elderly patients – at Teenage Cancer Trust we understand that teenagers require specialist care which is why we are working to provide every young person with cancer with access to a Teenage Cancer Trust unit.”

Doors open at 19.30. On top of the fashion show featuring the latest looks from Next, Paul Smith, Whittawer and Kate Lauren, guests will enjoy a champagne reception, live music and exclusive goody bags.

Tickets are available from £8. For more information or to purchase tickets visit robbieandersonfashionshow.co.uk or call Georgie Bennion on 07969 380 440.

Every day in the UK, six teenagers are told they have cancer. This is a rising figure and there are already more young people than children with the disease. These young people often get a raw deal, receiving hospital treatment in inappropriate facilities catering for children or the elderly.

Teenage Cancer Trust focuses on the needs of teenagers and young adults with cancer by providing specialist teenage units in NHS hospitals designed to give teenagers the very best chance of a positive outcome. As well as state-of-the-art facilities to keep patients occupied during long stays in hospital, the units provide an environment where teenagers can meet others in a similar situation.

The charity estimates that, with the units they currently have around the UK, only half of all teenagers diagnosed with cancer now have access to the dedicated, specialist support they provide. But Teenage Cancer Trust’s aim is to build enough units so that, by 2012, every teenager will be treated on one.