Be part of the most fashionable night of the year for The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity

A GROUP of models are preparing to strut their stuff on the catwalk for a very special fashion show. All the models are current or former patients of The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Wirral, and are being prepared for the big night by ex-model and local business woman Roz Tranfield.

This is the 4th year Roz has organised the event and the show will take place at Thornton Hall Hotel and Spa, Wirral, on Friday, 5 October 2018, in aid of The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity. Roz  said:- "It really is a wonderful, uplifting night and I would encourage anyone who hasn't been before to come along, join in the fun and raise some much needed funds for The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity."

Roz, Merseyside's Woman of the Year in 2016, was diagnosed with cancer in 2014. The owner of Roz Tranfield Beauty Centre in Liscard, Wirral, was treated at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre and was determined the disease would not define her. She has gone on to raise huge sums for the charity through her fashion shows and other events, and is aiming to hit the ₤150,000mark this year. Roz also hopes the experience will help those taking part gain confidence and find an inner strength to help them deal with their diagnosis and treatment. Roz said:- "The fashion show isn't just a fun evening for the audience, it is a fantastic bonding experience for everyone who takes part and a great boost for their confidence. I love seeing the models getting into the spirit of the night and enjoying the cheers of the audience."

Rosemary Roby is one of the models who will be taking part. Rosemary, 68, from Spittal, Wirral, was diagnosed with brEast cancer in 2016 and says the camaraderie among those taking part is fantastic.  Rosemary added:- "All the way through my treatment I have tried not to lie in bed and feel sorry for myself. I have got up, put my make up on and got on with it. Events like this turn what could be a bad situation into something positive. It is going to be such good fun."

Fellow model Colin Rowlands, 65, from Raby Mere, Wirral, was first diagnosed with lymphoma in 2013 and was treated with radiotherapy at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre after a reoccurrence in 2015. Colin was encouraged to take part in the show by friends who had modelled for the event in the past. Colin said:- "I've found that being busy and having something to focus on has really helped me throughout everything. My wife Sharon told me I was too busy to be ill and she was right. The fashion show will be fun and I don't mind making a bit of a fool of myself!"

The event is being supported by Liverpool's premier retail and leisure destination Liverpool ONE and will feature fashions from Wrogue and Wrobe, Mark Melia Design, House of Charles milliners, Nancie Henry, Jak and Liza and Virginia Lee, who will provide jewellery and accessories. There will be an auction and raffle and everyone in the audience will receive a goody bag. The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity is working to raise ₤15 million towards the building of a brand new specialist cancer Hospital in Liverpool City centre and improvements to the Wirral site.

Elspeth Wilson, Fundraising Manager for The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, said:- "We're very grateful to Roz for her four years of phenomenal support for the patients and their families here at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre. Here's to another inspirational Fashion Show. Thank you, Roz, for all you've done to help transform cancer care in our region."

Liverpool ONE Marketing Director, Donna Howitt, said:- "Liverpool ONE is delighted to be able to support this amazing fundraising event for a very important cause.  Cancer is something that is likely to affect all of us at some point in our lives, whether directly, or indirectly through a loved one or a friend, and I hope everyone comes out to support Roz and her team of models at what is going to be a brilliant evening."

For tickets, priced ₤20, or to find out more about fundraising events call:- 0151 556 5566 or see the charities website. Tickets are also available at Roz Tranfield Beauty Centre:- 0151 638 1033.  For more information about Liverpool ONE, please click on here. 

Campaign highlights worryingly low awareness of fire door safety in Merseyside despite Grenfell tragedy

DESPITE the shocking tragedy of the Grenfell fire in London last summer, research has revealed that 53% of people in Merseyside have seen fire doors illegally kept open. Nationally, almost 1 in 2 people surveyed admitted that they do not know how to identify a fire door.

The survey results are published in support of 'Fire Door Safety Week'  that runs over 24 September; 30 September, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of fire doors in saving lives. The poll of 2,000 adults across the country, carried out by online supplier IronmongeryDirect and supported by the Fire Industry Association, illustrates an alarming lack of general public awareness of the life saving role of fire doors which are a legal requirement in all commercial, public and multi- occupancy buildings. Another disturbing outcome was that 70% of respondents would not know who to contact if they noticed a problem with a fire door.

Ian Moore, CEO at the Fire Industry Association, said:- "Fire doors are one of many essential elements to keeping safe from fire. In all cases, a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment should be carried out by the responsible person usually the building owner. A fire risk assessment should determine, through thorough inspection, any potential risks or hazards so that they may be resolved. If you are worried about hazards and risks from fire, you can always contact us, the Fire Industry Association, for free and impartial information and we will be able to direct you to an expert on the subject."

This research highlights the need for trades people and the wider public to be more aware of the essential role that fire doors play in keeping them safe. Fire doors are specifically designed to withstand fire for between 30 and 240 minutes and, when used correctly, they can make a significant difference in saving lives and protecting buildings. In addition, 34% of people nationally said they would prop a fire door open to let in fresh air or give easier access, among other reasons.

According to the British Woodworking Federation, the organisation behind Fire Door Safety Week, 3 million fire doors are installed each year. However, they remain a significant area of neglect and should be regularly checked and maintained by those responsible for the upkeep of the building.

Managing Director of IronmongeryDirect, Wayne Lysaght Mason, commented:- "We are now over a year on from the Grenfell Tower fire and it is disturbing that a significant proportion of the general public appear to lack basic fire door knowledge."

The safety campaign says that fire doors are often the 1st line of defence in a fire and their correct specification, maintenance and management can be the difference between life and death for building occupants. Visit:- IronMongeryDirect.Co.UK/FDSW for a video guide on fire door safety.