Carlisle Utd players strut their stuff at fashion show for Kelly
Last updated 10:22, Thursday, 30 October 2008
Carlisle United players raised cheers from a different crowd as they took to the catwalk in a fashion show in memory of nurse Kelly Gourlay.
- Photos: images from Glitz and Glamour
- Video (no audio): watch the players and models on the catwalk
Players Scott Dobie, Chris Lumsdon, David Raven, Josh Gowling, Michael Bridges and Simon Hackney – all team-mates of Kelly’s boyfriend Peter Murphy – showed off their footwork on the runway at the Glamour & Glitz event at Carlisle Racecourse last night.
They were joined by friends and nursing colleagues of Kelly, who was tragically killed aged 24 after a collision on the A69 near Corby Hill in June.
All proceeds will go to Hospice at Home Carlisle and North Lakeland and the children’s unit at the Cumberland Infirmary – causes close to Kelly’s heart.
Amongst the 350-strong crowd at the sell-out show were Kelly’s parents Stenya and Bob and brother, Mark.
Stenya said: “It’s an emotional night, but it’s fantastic and we are so proud. We are wishing she was here.
“Whilst they were modelling I looked out and thought ‘all these people knew Kelly or loved her’. It is just really emotional.”
Bob added: “It would have been right up her street - she’d have loved it.”
Peter Murphy said seeing his team-mates strut their stuff was “making his night”. He added: “There’s a couple of them look a bit more comfortable on the catwalk than on the pitch!
“ But it’s a fun night to be had by everybody. The organisation is brilliant, the models are in a different class – it’s exceptional.”
Clothing from Carlisle boutiques Creme, Cassanova and Chameleon featured alongside collections from Hoopers and the Edinburgh Woollen Mill.
Carlisle United’s new third strip in white with Eddie Stobbart green and red flashes was also unveiled by the female models.
Model for the night Dawn Sherrard, 24, of Carlisle, knew Kelly all of her life.
She said: “Tonight has been amazing. I felt less nervous coming out on to the runway tonight than I did in the practices. But a few glasses of rosè wine helps – it was Kelly’s favourite.
“She would have loved this because she loved glamour and she was so beautiful.”
Donated lots were auctioned on the night. United forward Scott Dobie forked out £350 for the chance to have his name on an Eddie Stobbart lorry and a signed football shirt fetched £180.
Glitz & Glamour was organised in association with Carlisle United Football Club by magazine Carlisle Living.
Since Kelly’s death, more than £5,000 has been raised for charity in her name. Organisers are totting up the amount raised last night.
