Down Syndrome Centre is to be the recipient of funds from the UCD Fashion Show from 2007 - 2009 and has become heavily involved in assisting the students in putting on what has become Europe's largest student fashion show. (www.ucdfashionshow.com)

This year marked the 22nd year of a Show which began on campus in 1985 and since then has grown and grown to become one of the biggest fashion events mounted in this country. The venue this year was the RDS Simmonscourt on the 29th February when an audience of 3,000 took their seats for what has become a showcase of the best of student design, modelling, dance and musical talent.

A cast of 140 students took to the catwalk on the night joined by a group of young people with Down syndrome who attended a grooming course run by Carmona Services. It was a long day for them with a hair and make-up call from 10am but they had a great time mixing with the students backstage all day before getting in to their gear and their groups for show time.

As each young person came out the audience noise levels pitched a few decibels and the encouragement spurred on even the shyest among the group to rise to the occasion with gusto.

Our thanks to Michelle Quinn and Mary Quinn of St John of Gods Carmona Services for their assistance and to all our models. They were Brian Byrne, Sharon Cruise, Mandy Finlay, Peter Kavanagh, Jacinta Kinsella, Lorna Nicell, Aisling O'Brien, Robbie Power, Liam Ryan and Emer Twohig. Thanks also to Shira Delaney and Tara Mooney who joined the above group on the night.  

It was fantastic for DSC to have the opportunity to invite young people with Ds to take part in this event and if you would like to nominate someone you know with Down syndrome to take part in 2009, drop us an email to info@downsyndromecentre.ie and we'll get back to you with more information.