A Suffolk-based charity has broken the world record for the longest fashion show – raising £24,000 for its work in the process.

East Anglian Daily Times: The show raised �24,000 for charity. Picture: WENDY AIKEN PHOTOGRAPHYThe show raised �24,000 for charity. Picture: WENDY AIKEN PHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Archant)

The Blossom Charity, bsased in Eye, held a 30-hour event, beating the Guinness World Record of 24 hours held by an event held in Miami in 2014.

The marathon couture showcase took place at Grade I-listed Woolverstone Hall, near Ipswich and featured an extensive 1,080 outfits, with most outfits provided by dream on, and 200 menswear outfits provided by Jarrolds, of Norfolk, that were paraded in front of crowds along a 58-metre catwalk. In total, the models walked a total of 104 miles.

The event has raised £24,000 for the charity, which will support the work it carries out in the East Anglia area to inspire confidence among women in the region through coaching, mentoring, makeovers and style consultancy.

Bridget McIntyre, founder of The Blossom Charity and dream on, commented: “We’re delighted to have delivered the world’s longest fashion show and once verified, we will hopefully have our name in the Guinness World Records book!

East Anglian Daily Times: Blossom Charity is now looking forward to a place in the Guinness Book of Records. Picture: WENDY AIKEN PHOTOGRAPHYBlossom Charity is now looking forward to a place in the Guinness Book of Records. Picture: WENDY AIKEN PHOTOGRAPHY (Image: Archant)

“There are so many people to thank for putting in the hard work to make this event a success and this includes the 66 models who gave up their time (and sleep!) to help us break this record and the team of 82, who provided support backstage.

“Every year we look to hold a fun and exciting fundraising event that enables our entire community to get involved and raise money and it’s fantastic to see the power of team work and what we can achieve together.

“This year’s fundraiser was certainly ambitious but will go down in history and certainly last a long time in our memories.”

The World Record attempt was organised to raise proceeds for the Blossom Charity through the sales of tickets and raffle tickets. While raising money was important, the real aim of delivering the world’s longest fashion show was to encourage people to achieve things that they never thought possible, whether this was having the courage to strut down a catwalk, or organising the logistics of a large-scale event.

A few familiar East Anglian faces graced the catwalk in order to help break the world record including, Russell Osman, a former player for Ipswich Town Football Club. A number of the region’s business leaders also modelled, including, Adnams’ CEO, Andy Wood, Nicky Dulieu from Notcutts, Minnie Moll, joint MD of the Co-op, Norwich entrepreneur Patrick Smith, formerly of Swinton and Norwich Union, Lynn Walters, Executive Director of Pure Resourcing Solutions and James Brown, Regional Managing Partner of Grant Thornton.

To add to the excitement, visitors had the chance to win a fantastic raffle prize of two tickets to an Ed Sheeran concert in Vienna, with flights and one night’s hotel accommodation.

The Blossom Charity runs alongside dream on, a Community Interest Company (CIC) that works with businesses to support growth and personal development. Founded by former UK CEO of Royal & Sun Alliance, Bridget McIntyre, both The Blossom Charity and dream on work with a range of people from young school leavers to corporate executives and retired women to help them achieve their goals.

The charity is still accepting donations, which can be made online. Please visit