Helping to give teens a perfect prom night
THE America-style school prom has taken off across the UK in recent years and is now the highlight of pupil’s summer social calendar.
And mostly it’s all about the dresses which are the talking point for teenage girls for months in advance whose photographs of their prom night are treasured afterwards.
But the cost, of course, can be huge and a financial burden which many families struggle to bear. It was with this in mind that a Cramlington mother-offive, Nicola Tunstill, came up with an idea which is growing in popularity and is proving a perfect solution for cashstrapped families.
The 31-year-old has been making headlines with her Prom in the Community project which is hiring out dream designer prom dresses for free.
And now intu Eldon Square in Newcastle has signed up to support the scheme and is encouraging people to make donations at the shopping centre. It has positioned a “prom box” outside Debenhams on St Andrew’s Way for the purpose and ITV Tyne Tees Good Morning Britain presenter Rachel Sweeney helped launch it by donating two outfits.
Nicola is delighted at the show of support, saying: “I’m so grateful to intu Eldon Square.
“They are also taking postal donations, as well as promoting my campaign on social media.”
Now the project is helping to ensure that those who cannot afford to spend as much need not feel left out.
Anyone able to donate a prom dress is asked to drop it off at the Prom Box up until May 7 or post to Prom Dress, Reception, intu Eldon Square, Eldon Court, Percy Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7JB