STLYE-MINDED bargain hunters scooped up a deal or two at a special fundraising event in Nailsworth which was run by formerly homeless people.

More than 100 people packed into St George’s Church on Thursday September 15 for homeless charity Emmaus’s annual fashion show.

Shoppers roamed through clothing, accessories and jewellery and picked up complete outfits for under £30 - raising a total of £850.

It was organised by the Emmaus charity shop in Market Street, Nailsworth, and all the goods were donated by the people of Gloucestershire.

One shopper, Joanna, said: “The clothes were fun, stylish, colourful and of good quality.

“There was a real buzz particularly at the end of the night when selecting clothes to buy. I can't wait for the next one.”

The fashion show was a celebration of 23 years of Emmaus in the county.

From one small shop in Nailsworth there are now five shops across Gloucestershire.

These stores generate the income needed to run a community for formerly homeless people.

Emmaus provides a home for 31 people called ‘companions’ who give back by volunteering for 40 hours in the shops.

Emmaus is built on the belief that work provides meaning and restores dignity.

On the night people heard Francis’s story and how easy it is for unplanned life events to lead to homelessness.

“Emmaus is at the forefront of fighting homelessness and we should be proud of what we are doing,” he said.

“I don’t want the last 20 years to have been for nothing. I want to speak for homeless people across the UK and I want others to know what it is really like to be stigmatised and forgotten”.

Emmaus companions show solidarity with other who are in need, by supporting other charities and community groups.

The proceeds from the fashion show will be used to provide clothing, sleeping bags and food for people who will be rough sleeping this winter.

Would you like to get involved? You can do this by donating clothing, furniture and household goods and by buying from our shops. If you want to make a difference to street homeless people this winter, drop off new underwear and socks, and serviceable outerwear and sleeping bags to any of their shops.

For more information visit www.emmaus.org.uk/gloucestershire