A hospice chaplain and nurses left their uniforms behind to model the latest fashions at a special lunch in aid of St Ann’s Hospice.

The nervous models strutted their stuff wearing clothes from John Lewis Trafford at the Palace Hotel, Manchester.

Hospice chaplain Rev Peter O’Brien drew a big round of applause when he took to the catwalk. The event raised more than £30,000 for the hospice which cares for adults with serious life-limiting illnesses.

The figure included a special pledge by the 350-strong audience to pay for care on its two sites, which includes Heald Green, on Christmas day.

The Pay For A Day initiative allows hospice supporters to celebrate a particular day that means something special to them.

Jayne Bessant, Chief Executive at St Ann’s Hospice, said: ‘The Pay For A Day scheme is proving popular because it’s a good way of remembering and at the same time helping St Ann’s which relies so heavily on donations.

‘The fashion lunch is one of the big events in our fundraising calendar and I’m grateful to everyone who offered their support and pledged to pay for a day’s care. Our chaplain and nurses do incredible work so this year we wanted to celebrate their wonderful role at the hospice.’

One of the nurses modelling was Emma Norton who runs the Hospice @ Home service in Trafford, a service which allows patients to receive care in their own home.

The lunch was once again supported by the private bank, Brown Shipley.