February 1st 2017
Last Saturday and Sunday, The Digby staged two vibrant Fashion Shows in support of Turi Children’s Project (TCP), a charity which supports the most vulnerable children in a deprived Kenyan village. Organised by Stephen Byrne, languages teacher at Sherborne who taught for five years in the village.
The Fashion Show models were from both the boys’ and girls’ schools, modelling clothes of their own design as well as garments from two fashion houses.
Showcasing urban clothing, models wore garments from Kutula, a company set up by Old Shirburnian Jimi Herrtage, and bespoke beachwear from designer retailer Bushbells, whose profits support educational charities on the Kenyan coast. Two large enthusiastic audiences were treated to a range of creative films, live music and a DJ set, as well as a bagpipe entrance that offered an exciting backdrop to the catwalks. The catwalks were co-ordinated by Emma Drake and Ben Wild in Sherborne Boys and by Elodie Smith in Sherborne Girls.
The event raised over £3,000, which will provide funds to build a new Home Science block, complete with running water, to enable the children to learn to cook nutritiously, making good use of the wide range of high quality fruit and vegetables grown locally.
The Turi Children’s Project supports around 100 children, many being AIDS orphans or victims of inter-tribal violence. An old colonial building has been converted into a two-storey centre, where sewing, tailoring, carpentry, shoe repairs and mechanical engineering are being taught and where children receive their only meal each day.
All profits will be given to TCP to continue the essential work being carried out in Kenya.
