The Grange Hampshire hosts Murray Parish Trust’s first fashion show to help raise money for children’s mental health
The Grange Hampshire was the stunning setting for an evening featuring select outfits for the summer season from leading local designers and boutiques including Tabitha Webb, Moda Rosa and Sass & Edge – all in aid of actors Sarah Parish and James Murray’s charity The Murray Parish Trust.
Held in The Grange, guests enjoyed award-winning sparkling wine from the estate’s vineyard as the show, raffle and auction raised thousands of pounds for TMPT’s latest campaign. Southampton-based Regent Seven Seas Cruises sponsored the evening, spectacular floral installations were created by Alresford’s Wild Bunch, Winchester’s award-winning hairdresser Guy Kremer styled the models, make up design was by Kate O’Brien and Alresford Beauty, entertainment supplied by Parkewood School of Dance and delicious canapes were served by Becka Cooper.
Sarah Parish said that the charity has already raised over £5million towards projects including the build of a brand new children’s A&E department at Southampton Hospital, a state-of -the-art paediatric iMRI scanner and a child psychologist for the hospital, “but this year we’re doing something a bit different.”
As her husband James explained, “the pandemic has had a devastating effect on our children’s wellbeing” and the charity is “focusing on children’s mental health”, aiming to raise £36,000 for “vital funds for the Stepping Stones art lead project, working with Hampshire Cultural Trust to deliver a targeted response which will offer innovative support for 60 vulnerable children thought non-clinical arts and creative based intervention.”
Speaking at the start of the evening, The Grange Hampshire’s director Sophie Ashburton said the estate has been wanting to support, “Sarah, Jim and their team at the TMPT for some time” and applauded their, “brilliant, life-changing work for Hampshire.” Sophie, who is married to – as she put it – “the landlord of The Grange” Lord Ashburton, said the evening “is exactly the kind of event that we should be hosting, showcasing some of Hampshire’s finest entrepreneurs.” She told the audience The Grange Hampshire is keen to host more events and local celebrations in the houses and buildings it has within its 3,500 acre estate: “Many of you will have been to our summer arts festival of opera, dance and jazz. But what you may not know is that there is a thriving events and experiences business here using the mansion and other venues on the estate. So please think of us when you are planning a celebration, a weekend away with family and friends or a business retreat – our team would love to help.”
Photo credit: Kate Hunter Photography