Kristine’s fashion show fundraiser was inspired by Laois survivors of breast cancer

KRISTINE Melne, proprietor of the Trendy Treasures department store in Mountmellick, recently organised a Pink Ribbon fundraiser for Breast Cancer Ireland, having been inspired by customers who are surviving breast cancer.

The fancy fashion flaunts took place recently in The Hare’s Corner Restaurant, which was packed out on the night.

Restaurant owner Edel Connolly offered her premises as the venue for the event and provided refreshments, music and a room where the models could change outfits and have professional makeovers by Nicole Marnell of Lavish Beauty.

Guest speakers included patient ambassador Avril Tierney from Portarlington and Carol Ann Scott, outreach co-ordinator for the midlands, who gave a talk on breast cancer and provided invaluable information to the gathering.

Kristine Melne told the ***Laois Nationalist*** what inspired her to run the event. She said: “I am inspired by lots of my customers who have breast cancer or are surviving it. I feel for those lovely ladies, who might be losing themselves and their confidence. It’s nice to try to help in bringing back their joy, because those amazing women are so deserving. Lots of women think that breast cancer won’t affect them, but all women have to be very careful.

“When I began to plan all of this, it got much bigger than I expected. People came from all over to help. Most of the women developing breast cancer are very young with small kids. One lady found out she had breast cancer only two weeks into her pregnancy. All of the stories that I was told made me want to do more to help.

“I got in touch with Beverley Barbour of the Methodist Church and Janet Stewart, who fundraised so much for the Ben and Jake Foundation … there was so much support.

“I hadn’t seen any references to a Pink Ribbon fashion show where the models are breast cancer survivors ever taking place in a small community before. I am so happy for the women. One woman came to me for clothes and said that she doesn’t see herself as herself anymore, so this is all about helping these women.” Kristine finished by saying that the event raised a whopping €2,700 for Breast Cancer Ireland and that the evening was “very emotional, special and positive, while creating a lovely, homely atmosphere for the wonderful women”. She added that she plans to run the fundraiser again in 2025.

Kristine wishes to thank everyone who helped in any way, including those who donated prizes: Infinity Hair Salon, Happy Hands Nail Studio, Hughes Pharmacy, McElwee Pharmacy, SuperValu Mountmellick, SuperValu Stradbally, Laois Pharmacy, D&B Nails, Tesco Extra Portlaoise, Floral Essence Florists, Bawnaraun Woodcraft, Aiden Carroll Flooring, Willow Tree Reflexology, Shaws, Tirlán Countrylife, The Max, Pick of the Crop and several more, along with people who arrived with items for the raffle.

Donations collected by local woman Daiga Klindzane from friends allowed her to make six glorious hampers, while another donated a designer Marc Jacobs tote bag, which was auctioned for the worthy cause in memory of her own mother, who sadly died from cancer.