Why did I put myself through 36 hours of non-stop walking to finish the full 100km Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge in July 2018 and another 13hrs to complete the 50km Cotswold Way challenge in June 2018??? THIS IS WHY:

A year ago, my daughter Kathleen, who is 19 and has Down's syndrome, was signed up by a new and very ambitious modelling agency (behind the scene, they're just 2 hard-working mums fighting tooth and nail for diversity representation) exclusively representing talents with all sorts of disabilities.That is why I am determined to help them bring to life their next event:

ZEBEDEE CATWALK SHOW DECEMBER 8TH 2018 SHEFFIELD.

Why do we need to crowdfund for this, you may ask??

Unfortunately, these campaigns/events are costly and Zebedee haven't been around long enough to be able to self-fund them. There will come a day when people like me won't need to fundraise for them because such campaigns will hopefully generate more and more jobs for talents who are differently-abled.

This catwalk will be a unique and diverse catwalk for all Zebedee talents to take part in. It is designed to train and develop their models' skills, confidence and self-esteem.

Throughout the day, the models will have both dance and catwalk training by some of the best choreographers in the industry.

Each workshop will be specially designed for their differently-abled models so that they can reach their full potential and take part fully.

Once rehearsals are over, the models will go into hair/make-up and be made to look like a million dollars! The audience of VIPs, family and friends will take their seats as the models will change into their outfits and get ready for the show of a life time.

Between films featuring the models being played on the big screen, the talents will perform their rehearsed dance and catwalk to a supportive, encouraging and understanding audience.

It will be an electric night to remember for all of those involved.

This is where your money will go:

Venue, Technical support, Security £700

Choregraphers x 4 £800

Hair and Make up artists x 6 £600

Videographer £300

Photographer £250

Event organiser (6 days min) £1200

Slush fund to help talents with limited funds attend the event £1,000

Props/Accessories £150

Total: £5,000

Slowly, painstakingly, one step at a time, ZEBEDEE MANAGEMENT are making progress. Just over a year in the making and they have already made noticeable changes in rectifying perceptions of disabilities in the media and fashion industries, thanks to their ethos and determination.

They are a social enterprise who work to find people with disabilities, like my daughter, paid work as models and actors, and run visual campaigns in order to increase public understanding and awareness around disability.

Just have a look at their last year EVERYBODY BEAUTIFUL CAMPAIGN !!

And finally, here is what some models had to say after attenting last year's catwalk:

Thank you for reading and for your kind support. Denise x