A charity fashion show is aiming to raise as much money as possible for a seven-year-old Hornchurch girl fighting cancer.

Laura McBride organised the event, which will take place on April 29, to help raise money for Joni-Mai Stevens.

“My cousin’s little boy is in Joni’s class at school,” she said.

Although Laura, who owns flo promotions, had never met Joni she felt moved by her story.

“I thought with all the contacts that I have got, I just had to do something.

“I watched the video [on Joni’s Go fund me page] and it just really touched me,” she explained.

The event will take place at The Brickyard bar and grill, South Street, Romford at 7pm.

“The Brickyard said if I could get a minimum of 60 people to go the venue would be free. I managed to sell all of my 150 tickets,” said Laura.

The Brickyard owners will be closing the restaurant on the night due to how successful the ticket sales have been.

Models have offered their services for free and clothing boutiques including Tiffany Boo, Hornchurch’s dresscode24seven and Anna Lou’s swimwear will have their clothes featured in the fashion show.

There will be live music on the night, with a performance from singer Amy Mottram and a surprise act yet to be revealed.

There will also be a raffle and an auction, which includes two Arsenal box tickets.

Laura said that people had been really generous when it came to donating prizes.

“The amount of raffle prizes I got for it was amazing,” she said.

Tickets cost £10. They have now sold out but there will be a paid guest list which people can pay to be added on to at the door.

Laura said that so far she had raised around £1,800.

Asked how Joni’s family felt about the fundraiser, Laura said: “They were really thankful. They are coming to the event as well, which will be nice”.

For more information about Joni and other fundraisers, please click the link on the right.