Clarendon Sixth Form College

24 June 2025

Students at Clarendon Sixth Form College raise £575 for charity with new fashion collaboration project.

Fashion and textiles students from the college have raised vital funds for Willow Wood Hospice after organising and hosting a fashion show and sample sale.

The unique event, which took place at the college on 6th June in the college’s atrium area, was attended by college staff and students. Clothing, which was donated by brand Pretty Little Thing, was modelled by students and also sold to raise money for the charity.

Willow Wood is an Ashton Under Lyne based hospice, which cares for those with terminal illnesses. It regularly hosts fundraising events across the borough such as this.

Students were heavily involved in the project from start to finish, designing each outfit for the fashion show, recruiting hair and beauty students to style models’ hair and makeup and staffing the sample sale.

Olivia Kitchen, fashion and textiles student at Clarendon Sixth Form College, said: “The event was amazing and it was great to raise so much money. I found the event gave me an insight into the industry and how fast paced it can be. It was a thrill to be modelling and working backstage and it helped me to realise this is the side of the industry I would like to go into. Considering we only had a few days to plan this event between us, I feel like we pulled it off fabulously. This project has tested our time management skills and allowed us to work as a group.”

Ryan Boulton, fashion and textiles teacher at Clarendon Sixth Form College, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the students for what they achieved with this project. They took full ownership of the task and their creativity, professionalism and teamwork really shone through. Not only did they raise a fantastic amount for a brilliant local cause, which many people in Tameside feel a connection to, but they also gained real world experience that will benefit them hugely as they move forward in their careers.”

Activities such as this outside of the classroom form part of students’ work experience hours, giving them key skills for their future careers such as confidence, organisation and communication.

To find out more about fashion and textiles courses at Clarendon Sixth Form College, visit the college website or call 0161 908 6600.