POLICE officers, bank staff and hairdressers took to the catwalk to raise money for cancer research.

The Passionate Pink fashion show raised about £2,000 for Cancer Research UK and took place at Milton Park, Abingdon, on Tuesday night.

Everything from the time of the models and organisers, to the staging and lighting, was donated by Oxfordshire residents and companies.

A company even donated a pink carpet – instead of a red carpet – and another paid for the building to be lit pink for the event.

Police officer James Cartwright, 25, was one of those who stepped out on the catwalk.

He said: “None of us had done modelling before.

“If it was just a fashion show for a shop I wouldn’t have been interested but because of the charity aspect I thought I would help out.

“The show was quite different from what I normally do but it was a good laugh and I got to wear nice suits, so I can’t complain.

“But it’s not something I would be giving up my job to do.”

The models wore clothing from independent boutiques around the county.

Passionate Pink founder Deb Little said: “It was absolutely fantastic. All those people helped me for no other reason than we’re a volunteer group.

“I’m amazed by the generosity of people always, but this event surpassed that.”

She said they had decided to raise money for Cancer Research UK because “everyone has been touched by cancer”.

The fashion show raised money by selling tickets to the event and holding raffles and other activities on the day.

It was due to take place shortly after the launch of Passionate Pink in 2008, but Ms Little suffered a stroke in 2009.

She said: “The last two years have been hell on earth. Losing your mobility is scarier than any- thing I’ve experience in life.”

But she said organising the group’s relaunch had helped her get back on her feet.

The last Passionate Pink event was in December, when the volunteers held a charity ball in memory of Ms Little’s friend Ali Booker, who died of cancer last year.

Ms Booker recorded every step of her fight against the disease on Jack FM’s award-winning Ali Booker’s Cancer Diaries.

On Sunday, 16 volunteers dressed in pink will take part in a sponsored parachute jump at Weston-on-the-Green to raise more money.

For more information or to donate to the appeal, see passionatepink.co.uk or call Ms Little on 07919 386196.