Mums hit catwalk for charity

Cindy Paggoa and her family.

A group of mothers once supported by the Ronald McDonald House are giving back to the charity that helped them in their time of need.

Overcoming a few nerves, towering heels and the flash of lights, they will be taking to the catwalk for a fashion fundraiser.

One of them is a PhD student and another a sports administrator, but regardless of their backgrounds, they all have one thing in common - at one point their families were supported by the charity when their children were being treated at Auckland's Starship hospital.

Cindy Paggao, Ronald McDonald House mother and debut model, said the generosity and endless support of all the people at the charity was overwhelming. "Being able to be close to our son Noah, who was being treated for a heart defect, made a tremendous difference to his recuperation. Now we have another chance to give something back and I've leapt at the chance to be part of this fantastic, encouraging event."

The mothers have helped to pull together an event that will showcase collections from boutique and high-street fashion stores.

And accompanying them on the catwalk will be celebrity models including Miss New Zealand Ella Langsford and rower Juliette Haigh.

In addition, Kathryn Wilson will premier her new children's range - Little Miss Wilson, which will be modelled by 5- to 11-year-old students from Victoria Ave School in Remuera.

Chief executive Wayne Howett said the charity was hugely grateful for the support. "It costs us $4.5 million a year to operate the 80-room accommodation facilities, and family room inside Starship itself."

Tickets for the August 10 event are $75 for an adult or $30 for a child, available at ticketmaster.co.nz. For more information visit www.rmhauckland.org.nz.