A BLACK Country mum is marking what would have been her daughter’s 4th birthday by hosting a charity fundraising event.

Claire Groom, of Kingswinford, is holding fashion show in aid of Acorns Children’s Hospice in Oldbury tomorrow (Thursday, February 26) in memory of her daughter Isla Grace.

Isla was born with a rare genetic condition called Edwards syndrome and sadly passed away in December 2012 aged just 22-months-old.

Claire said: “We wanted to do something to mark Isla’s birthday and help keep her memory alive.

“The fashion show promises to be a lot of fun and it’s all for a good cause, helping to raise money for Acorns and the families like ours.”

The show, taking place at Orchard School, Causeway Green Road, will feature a live catwalk with a range of women’s and children’s clothes available to buy from high-street stores.

A proportion of sales on the night will go towards Acorns and refreshments will also be available.

Sally Insley, Acrons’ community fundraising manager, said: “We rely on local fundraisers like Claire to help provide the majority of the £8m plus income needed each year to run our hospices so I hope lots of people get behind Claire and help make the fashion show a big success.”

Tickets to the show, which starts at 6pm, cost £5 and are available by calling 07774 240132 or emailing walsallfun@acorns.org.uk Acorns offer a network of care and support to children, and their families, who have life limiting or life threatening conditions.

The hospice’s services are free-of-charge but rely on voluntary income for the majority of the funding required to run its care services.