Fashion fundraiser will support sick children's families

GOOD DEED: Fashion for Families creator Julie Bourke said her event was a way to pay it forward to others in the community.

Two Bay women are putting on a charity event to help raise money for two families with sick children.

The annual show, Fashion for Families, is a way for the community to "pay it forward" to others in need, said event organiser Julie Bourke.

Ms Bourke, Heaven and Home store owner, said all proceeds from the event would go to the families of Kereopa McDonald and Elijah Murray. Ms Bourke said Kereopa McDonald, 14, was diagnosed with a bone cancer, osteosarcoma, after he broke his arm at rugby training.

He was undergoing nine months of chemotherapy at Starship Children's Hospital, she said.

Ms Bourke said Elijah Murray, 6, woke up at 6 weeks old with a skin pigmentation where his skin presented in two different colours. At 10 months old, he was diagnosed with the rare condition hypomelanosis.

Ms Bourke said this was the second year for the annual charity fashion event.

"This year's event consists of a drinks and nibbles hour, followed by a fabulous evening of live performances, an auction and fashion shows," she said.

Ms Bourke said the idea behind the show was to bring everybody together in the Tauranga fashion scene to help a common cause.

"We felt the McDonald family has done a lot for the community and, now something terrible has happened to them, so we would like to help them.

"And Elijah has an awful condition, he can't walk, he can't talk, he is strapped into a wheelchair and he can do nothing for himself. He can't even communicate," she said.

Ms Bourke said money raised from the event would go to relieve the financial pressure on the children's parents, who were dedicated to getting their families back on track. More than $13,000 was raised last year for Amanda Lowry, who broke her neck in a surfing accident.