SOLDIERS and shop staff will swap the parade ground and shopfloor for the catwalk to raise cash for the Help for Heroes charity.

Dozens of wannabe models will be on show at Wyevale Garden Centre, in Oxford Road, Bicester, on Thursday for the fundraiser.

Clothing shops from across the town have teamed up to host the fashion show to raise money for the charity, which organisers said was close to their hearts.

Help for Heroes, founded in 2007, supports wounded servicemen.

Among the models will be two soldiers, including Lance Corporal Darren Cox, from 23 Pioneer Corps, based at St David’s Barracks, Bicester.

The soldiers will march on to the catwalk to start the evening, before models show off the latest designs available in local stores.

Organiser Helen Wiffen, manager of D2 in Sheep Street, said stores had taken part in a successful fashion show earlier in the year and wanted to repeat the event.

She said: “The restaurant at Wyevale is being turned into a catwalk for the night.

“The reason we chose the charity is that we want to support the lads in what they do.

“They obviously do a great job and without them we would not be as safe in our country.

“We want to show we care.”

L Cpl Cox, who spent 11 months in Afghanistan in 2005/06, is no stranger to fashion shows having modelled for clothing firm Revolution.

He said: “I’m taking part because I have a couple of good friends who have been injured in Afghanistan.”

Tickets for the show cost £5, and include a goodie bag.

They are available from businesses taking part in the show, including D2, Dorothy Perkins, Earth Collection, Cotswold Outdoor, Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Wyevale.

There will also be a raffle on the night.

Mrs Wiffen hopes the event will raise £4,000.

bicester@oxfordmail.co.uk