FIRST-time models representing Armed Forces heroes will be joined by local singer Zoe Birkett on the catwalk for a fundraising fashion show to highlight the work of a Help for Heroes recovery centre.

Phoenix House recovery centre, in Catterick Garrison, will host the show tomorrow evening (Tuesday, Oct 7), which will see injured, wounded and sick veterans and personnel taking to the catwalk – even those who have been told they would never walk again.

Ms Birkett, from Darlington, most recently starred in Thriller Live in the West End and Celebrity Big Brother.

Kat Bolton, 34, from Catterick Village, was medically discharged from the Army after discovering that physical exercise caused her to go into anaphylactic shock.

Despite having to leave the Forces, she has worked with staff at Phoenix House to get fit again and over the last year she has taken part in several running events.

She said: “I just have to make sure I always carry an epi pen with me and stop exercising as soon as I can feel an impending reaction.”

Ms Bolton served with the Royal Medical Corps for 15 years, but now works as the support hub co-ordinator at Phoenix House and draws on her own experience to help fellow veterans.

“When I lost my career in the Army, I lost my confidence," she said. "I hate being the centre of attention so this is a huge challenge for me, but I am doing it in an attempt to conquer my fear.”

Another model will be Paul Nichol, 37, from Catterick Garrison.

He said: “I volunteered to do this as a way of giving back to the charity that has invested so much time and effort in supporting me. I am nervous, but excited about it too.”

Mr Nichol is a veteran Army medic whose career was cut short after he was struck down with a debilitating back syndrome.

At first, he was paralysed and told he would never walk again - but after a series of operations, combined with three years’ rehabilitation, he has proved doctors wrong.

Sean Donlan, 27, originally from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, joined the Army at 16 and trained as a vehicle mechanic with the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment – part of REME (Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers).

But in April 2011, he was caught up in an explosion.

He said: “A rocket-propelled grenade came out of nowhere.”

A month later he woke up in hospital after his family had been told it was unlikely he would survive –and he could barely walk or talk.

Intensive physiotherapy and speech therapy has resulted in vast improvements in Mr Donlan’s capabilities, although there is still some way to go to improve his short-term memory.

The fashion show will take place at 7pm for 7.30pm at Phoenix House and tickets cost £10. Contact Lucy Wray on 01748-834148 for details.