Brides-to-be will have the opportunity to bag a bougie bargain while also supporting two Warwick charities, at a fundraising Wedding Fayre in Warwick.
More than 40 brand new wedding dresses and accessories in a variety of styles and sizes will be available to buy at knockdown prices during the one-off event, organised by The Gap Community Centre on May 18th.
The gowns, worth a total £80k, were donated to Molly Ollys by Boho Bride when it closed its doors at Stratford Garden Centre last year.
Boho Bride’s Lynette Turner said: “We had a lot of dresses that we couldn’t take with us, so after our sample sale we decided to donate the remaining dresses and accessories to Molly Ollys.
“I have always supported children’s local charities, including schools, and wanted to be able to continue my support by donating over 40 dresses to help children and their families, who are going through a very difficult time.
“The work that Molly Ollys do to help very sick children and make their families’ lives a little bit better is very important. Making children’s wishes come true is a very special gift for all the family, enabling them to share those precious moments and make forever memories. The more donations that are made, the more children and their families can benefit from the charity’s support.”
Molly Ollys was established in 2011 by Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw following the death of their eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.
The Warwick-based charity works to support children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families and help with their emotional wellbeing as well as providing wishes and donating therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.
The therapeutic toy lion called Olly The Brave who has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy. These form part of an Olly The Brave pack that has now been handed out to more than 70 hospitals or health centres, along with a set of books from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series.
Alongside the dresses – available in sizes 10-22 – there will be accessories to buy, including shoes, underwear, and head pieces, plus stalls from local businesses offering wedding-related services. Companies taking part include Simply Unique Ceremonies, Tora Wilson – Soprano, The Northants Roadshow, Brides & Blooms florist, Ultimate Fireworks, Zilfarni Soaps and Scents, The Tipsy Traveller Bar Hire, Beadie Productions Photography, Templespa, Beetle Bugs Wedding car Hire, and Lindsey Kay Bridal.
Each of the businesses is also contributing to a raffle on the day, with the chance to win prizes including a hand-tied bouquet, gift hampers, photography session, pamper class and fireworks.
Proceeds from the raffle and stalls will help The Gap continue its important work reducing loneliness and social and financial isolation in Warwick, bringing people together by running its vital community togetherness activities. The Gap’s activities and services are a lifeline for community members who would otherwise find it hard to meet people, providing essential support for their emotional health and wellbeing. The Gap also provides rooms for hire at reasonable prices for special occasions such as wedding parties.
Rachel Ollerenshaw said: “We are very grateful for the donation of the wedding dresses; it certainly was one of the more unusual donations we’ve received! In these challenging times with the rising cost of living, it is nice to think that we can offer brides the opportunity to have a fabulous dress at a greatly reduced price, that at the same time, gives back to charity.
“We also want to thank our friends at The Gap Community Centre, with particular thanks to Emma Joyce Smith and Amanda Burford for all their support and help to make this event happen. We look forward to meeting lots of brides!”
Organiser Emma Joyce Smith said: “It’s very exciting to be putting on our first wedding fair. Please do come along even if you’re not getting married because it’s free entry and there’ll be tea, coffee, and light refreshments.”
Amanda Burford, The Gap General Administration Manager said: “We’re very excited to be hosting a lovely opportunity to bring people together, which is what we’re all about. We can’t wait to meet all the happy couples we’ll be welcoming on the day.”
The Wedding Fayre, which is free to enter, takes place at The Gap, in Oakwood Grove, near Spinney Hill, Warwick CV34 5TD, between 2-5pm.
ABOUT MOLLY OLLYS:
Throughout the 10 years Molly Ollys has been running, it has raised more than £4 million; granted more than 2,500 wishes; supported more than 16,000 children and distributed more than 13,000 Olly The Brave books to more than 70 hospitals.
The charity works alongside the NHS to support projects within the hospitals and the community. One key project was the creation and refurbishment of Magnolia House at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. This is a safe and non-clinical space where medical teams and families can have important discussions.
Molly Ollys is also responsible for funding the first ever consultant in paediatric palliative medicine at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, in 2018 and, at the end of last year, it further provided funding for two more consultants, doubling the number of existing roles in the region.
Molly Olly’s Wishes need the support of companies and individuals to enable us to help more children. We welcome the opportunity to provide more information about our work. Please help us to make those dark days brighter. For details contact Rachel on 07747 854914.
ABOUT THE GAP:
The Gap, also known as Warwick Percy Estate Community Projects Ltd, is a registered charity and not-for-profit company, promoting community togetherness in Warwick for 21 years. We improve lives by providing a friendly community centre, and helping disadvantaged children, the elderly, and the community by running low-cost, inclusive activities and services.
We believe people are better together, and when people feel they belong, are valued and can be a part of something, Warwick is a happier place to be.
Our mission is leading the way to promote community togetherness and personal fulfilment by providing a safe and welcoming environment where people can meet and participate in social and physical activities; support groups; volunteering and learning, with the aim of enhancing overall quality of life.
Our work focuses on three key areas:
Disadvantaged children and young people: Gap Youth provides engaging, universal youth clubs at five locations in Warwick. We give young people, aged 7 to 16, a safe place to go to make friends, improve their social and life skills, and develop increased resilience, self-confidence, and aspirations. We also provide detached youth work in the community.
Isolated and lonely older adults: Gap Goldies provides weekly social and wellbeing activities for vulnerable elderly people. We help older adults find companionship and social connectedness, improved emotional and physical health, continuing independence, and a better quality of life.
Building stronger communities: Gap Community provides a friendly, welcoming community centre in North Warwick, hosting a variety of community groups, exercise classes, and services, where people can meet. We also run community outreach in the most deprived area of Warwick, helping low-income families with food and cost-of-living support.
Plus, we offer rooms-for-hire at the community centre, suitable for all occasions. Please phone 01926 494200 for more info or email admin@thegapwarwick.org.