Dental and medical students save lives at Queen

Dr Mark Hamilton is returning to Queen’s on Monday, 9 March to host this year’s SWOT Fashion Show alongside television presenter Emma-Louise Johnston. This annual event is organised by the fourth-year dentistry and medical student society Students Working Overseas Trust (SWOT).

This year’s show, to be held in Whitla Hall, features a special appearance by the Ulster Rugby Team wearing Douglas and the unveiling of the latest range from local eco-fashion label Curious Tales. Other catwalk highlights will include a performance of All that Jazz wearing shoes from Office and a Strictly Come Dancing section wearing Posh Frocks and Remus Uomo, and children’s clothing from Okadi.

Dr Hamilton believes the show is so much more than a fun event: ‘This is one of the most rewarding things to do, and just by buying a ticket or posting in a donation, you have helped save a life. We all complain about the NHS and waiting times, and it is so easy to forget how lucky we are. In parts of the world children die from a cut, and one dies every three seconds from poverty, hunger and preventable diseases.’

Last year the show raised £25,000 for hospitals and medical centres in Kenya, Peru and Zimbabwe, where basic equipment is a luxury.

Ensuring all the money raised is spent on third world care, the show is sponsored by the Queen’s Annual Fund, which pays for the printing costs of tickets, posters and promotional activity, lighting and sound.

Shauna Hughes, fundraising manager for Queen’s Annual Fund, said: ‘The Queen’s Annual Fund raises money from graduates to fund projects that enhance the student experience. Queen’s graduates give generously and the Fund is delighted to support the fashion show and the work of the SWOT students.’

If you wish to indulge in your passion for fashion, tickets for the show, priced £20, are available from the Porters’ Desk in the Students’ Union, or by emailing swotfashionshow@live.co.uk. The show begins at 7pm on 9 March in the Whitla Hall at Queen’s.