HOSPITAL workers will swap uniforms for evening wear when they take to the catwalk to raise money for cancer patients.

Consultants, nurses, porters and volunteers connected to the Rhys Lewis ward at Essex County Hospital, Colchester, want to raise £20,000 to buy 16 recliner chairs.

Janie van Helfteren, who spends one morning a week volunteering on the ward, has organised a fashion show at the new Firstsite arts centre.

The models, showing off clothes from the likes of French Connection and Hugo Boss, will be 32 of the staff based on the ward.

Mrs van Helfteren, 41, said: “I help the patients by making teas and coffees and run errands if anybody needs anything from town.

“Ward sister Beverley Pickett was talking about how they would like to replace the bedside recliner chairs.

“They’ve got chairs, but they’re a bit old and tired.”

She said she had no problem convincing staff, including porters John Coombs and John Jackson, consultant oncologist Dr Alan Lamont, matron Donna Booton and chief pharmacist Dr Richard Needle to get involved.

Mrs van Helfteren said: “They’re really entertaining. The nurses are brilliant and I thought it would be really great if I could involve them, and they were really up for it.”

The staff will all appear in their work uniforms before modelling two outfits – daywear and evening wear.

All 190 tickets, priced £15, sold out in days and organisers hope next Thursday’s event will raise £5,000.

Mrs van Helfteren, a personal trainer whose mother-in-law died of cancer four years ago, thanked fellow organisers Alison Ager, Monica Hartley and Lucy Hughes.

Hospital staff will be modelling clothes from Ambiance, Marks & Spencer, Monsoon, No 27 Simply Living, Turners and Williams & Griffin, and the Shiny Bow at Bures.

Sponsors are the Hills Group, Ingleton Construction & Development, Mersea Homes, Pullman Contracts, Spicerhaart, Van Cols, and R F West.

The event will also feature a raffle and people can go along at 7.30pm to buy from stalls selling fashion accessories, chocolates and cupcakes.