THUNDER BAY -- Dozens of women rocked the runway this weekend for a good cause.
The Valhalla Inn hosted the first annual High Tea and Fashion Show Sunday afternoon in support of the Northern Cancer Fund and Community Living Thunder Bay.
Community Living Thunder Bay volunteer coordinator Rita Lalonde said organizers wanted to hold an event tied closely to its causes.
“We wanted to give back to Thunder Bay so we decided we would do this fashion show and we would in support of the Northern Cancer Fund,” Lalonde said.
“If you put money into research you never really know where it’s going. We decided that we wanted to be hands-on with the proceeds so this way we can actually see where the money went.”
Throughout the afternoon, the 90-person audience had the opportunity to view fashions from three local businesses and were treated to a three-tiered dessert dish with dainties and sandwiches.
The proceeds were shared between the organizations.
Seventy-five per cent of the funds went directly to the Northern Cancer Fund to help with upgrades in the chemo therapy room. The other 25 per cent was dedicated to Community Living Thunder Bay's programs that support individuals living with intellectual disabilities.
While Lalonde was satisied with the turnout, she conceded it fell shyly short of her fundraising hopes.
“Our ultimate goal is to raise enough money for these new examination tables,” Lalonde said.
“They go down to the floor and lift up after the patient gets on them so doctors can do the exam, those tables are $10,000.”
Organizers hope next year’s event brings enough funds to purchase the table.
