COURAGE, determination and inner strength were shown in huge measure at an emotional event which saw Armed Forces personnel and veterans take to the stage in the name of fashion.

Tonight's Help for Heroes Phoenix House recovery centre fashion show was met with tremendous cheers and applause from the audience who were clearly moved by the 15 wounded, injured and sick veterans and serving personnel strutting their stuff on the catwalk.

The Northern Echo:

The star of the show was Martin Edwards – known as Ed – who moved many to tears when he took steps on the catwalk despite being mainly wheelchair bound following a devastating brain injury when his Warrior vehicle hit a roadside bomb during his third tour of Iraq.

Mr Edwards joined the Army from school and was a sniper with the 5th Battalion The Rifles, but now lives in a brain injury rehabilitation unit in York where he receives one-to-one, 24-hour care.

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Every Tuesday, the 32-year-old visits Phoenix House to go swimming and take part in arts and crafts among other pastimes. Last week he went abseiling and canoeing in the Lake District during his first holiday in four years.

Another model, Justin Henderson, from Catterick Garrison, feared he may never walk again after he broke his back while bending to lift an object in February 2012.

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He said: “I now have a prosthetic vertebrae in my lower spine with titanium screws and alloys and work at Phoenix House on front of house. I believe things happen for a reason and I’m so proud to work for the charity.

“I’m glad to take part in the fashion show so I can give something back to the charity that helped me so much.”

The Northern Echo:

The event, sponsored by Leggs in Darlington, who provided 45 models for the event, the town's Saks salon, Sherwoods and Brown’s Beauty, also featured North-East singer Zoe Birkett who belted out renditions of Duffy’s Mercy, and Etta James’ At Last.

The West End star hinted her next role would see her take on one of music’s biggest divas in a show that is soon to go on a UK tour.

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Help for Heroes founder Bryn Parry said he was immensely proud of those who took to the catwalk.

“This takes a great deal of courage for our wounded, injured and sick and to see them up there is really emotional,” he said.

The Northern Echo:

Fashion show compere, The Northern Echo's editor Peter Barron added: “It is a huge privilege to be here tonight and to support such a fantastic campaign.

“This event last year inspired me to support the centre more and launch the £100,000 Centenary Campaign for a performing arts centre for Phoenix House.”

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To support the campaign visit http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/campaigns/helpforheroes/donate/ or contact the centre on 01748-834148.

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