Stratford charity wedding dress auction set for Wednesday
WITH her 20th wedding anniversary only three months away, Rachel Ollerenshaw is happy to get the ball rolling on her charity’s latest fundraising event – by donating her own bridal dress.
Rachel’s will be among the dresses being sold off at a pre-loved wedding dress auction organised by Stratford’s Welcombe Hotel in aid of the charity Molly Olly’s Wishes.
Rachel said: “It’s been sitting in the cupboard all this time, and chances are slim my daughter Maeve will actually use it. This is perfect for me because it’s actually raising money.”
Rachel Ollerenshaw founded the charity, Molly Olly’s Wishes, with her husband, Tim, in 2011 following the death of their eight-year-old daughter Molly to kidney cancer.
It works to help families with terminally ill children to cope with the emotional and financial struggles that can come with their children being in hospital.
The hotel has organised the auction to run in conjunction with their open wedding day on Wednesday, 11th April (tomorrow).
Rachel, from Hatton, near Warwick, said: “Out of something horrendous something good is happening. It’s great for us to have other people and companies organising events for us because we are a smaller charity. It makes a huge difference and raises awareness.”
Five dresses have been donated so far, including several bridesmaids’ dresses. But organisers are still looking for more.
People are invited to turn up on the night – the auction gets under way at 6.45pm – but for information on how to donate a wedding dress e-mail hallmarkhotels@webershandwick.com or call 0161 238 9400.
Rachel said: “It doesn’t matter if people give us £1 or £20, it all helps. It’s to help a charity and as a result they get a lovely dress.”
Rachel, who will also be on hand on the night, said: “I think it’s really important people know where their money is going.
“It’s about supporting that emotional journey families go through when they have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness.”
