Newcastle Falcons stars and models in fashion fundraiser

Jul 3 2009 by Joanne Butcher, The Journal

“We raised more money than we could have hoped for – £1,300 – and that means we’ve already smashed our target with more events to go.”

She added her thanks to organiser Sarah Harrison, hair and beauty gurus Julie Pattinson and Paul Bryant, and the models – who are all hotel staff.

That included stunning Sophie, 23, from Ponteland, Northumberland, who worked as a receptionist before becoming a full-time model, and 17-year-old Ellen Winter, the current Miss Newcastle.

Beefy male models Ross Beattie, Michael Pelligrino, David Whitehead and Johnny Cope were also greeted with rapturous applause as they strutted their stuff.

“It was a really great event, I think everyone enjoyed themselves,” Cher, 33, added. “Sophie was so professional, she showed how it should be done.

“And the rugby players went down very well with the women.”

A raffle saw one lucky woman walking away with an exclusive Anya Hindmarsh designer handbag.

Malcolm and Cher are also running fundraisers with Ponteland Middle School, where pupils are designing a shirt for Malcolm to wear when he scales the mountain, and Byker PTA with a club night.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Malcolm can log on to www.justgiving.com/malcolmridley