Local models hit the runway Sunday afternoon to help others in need.
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada Thunder Bay held its fourth annual Passion for Fashion Show featuring the latest designs from local retailers.
“The idea is to have fun with your friends but to do so for an important cause,” honourary chair Pat Lang said before the show at Travelodge Airlane. “All the clothes that are being shown today can be purchased locally… it’s a great opportunity to see what’s a ahead for the season.”
Along with the admission price, the society raises money though a silent auction. This year’s big ticket item was a trip for two to New York and $300 spending cash from Porter Airlines. Lang said they’re hoping to raise $7,000 for the event, that’s more than double from last year. And with more than 300 people at Sunday’s event, she’s hoping they can reach that number.
The money goes to help local people who suffer from MS with equipment costs. Society board member Wendy Morgan said equipment is essential to maintain a good quality of life. As a dance instructor with a home studio, she had to install a $5,000 lift to get up and down stairs. It can be difficult for people to buy things like lifts and scooters without the help.
“For the normal person with an average income and most people with disabilities don’t even have an average income, there’s just no way that they can afford the equipment that they need,” she said. “There’s no way of having independence if you don’t have the equipment, otherwise you’re really homebound and you can’t contribute to the community.”
Fundraising also goes to help research into what causes MS and hopefully find a cure.
“Because of the economy and the way things are going they’re not getting the fundraising that they have in the past,” she said.
Luckily, Morgan said Thunder Bay probably raises the most money per capita than anywhere else in the province.
“The community at large is so generous in Thunder Bay,” she said.
