Canadian comedian to front Paisley fashion fundraiser

Canadian comedian to front Paisley fashion fundraiser

Canadian comedian Katharine Ferns is set to call out the catwalk at a charity fashion fundraiser in aid of the Scottish Huntington’s Association (SHA).

Katharine will host the ladies night event at Paisley Town Hall on November 2 to raise money to help families living with the degenerative neurological condition, Huntington’s disease (HD). Fashion show models will showcase clothes from local boutiques and fashion stores.

There will also be Christmas stalls, drinks and nibbles and a variety of fashion pop up shops.

This year Katharine’s critically acclaimed show ‘Ferns is in Stitches’ played to packed crowds at, among others, the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, Manchester Fringe, Edinburgh Fringe and the Vancouver Fringe.

Katharine has been a finalist at many comedy awards in Britain and in her native Canada.

The Paisley based SHA is the only charity in the country supporting families impacted by HD through its network of of HD specialists, a world leading youth support team and a financial wellbeing service.

HD is a complex neurological condition with symptoms that typically begin to develop between the ages of 30 and 50. It causes three main groups of symptoms: changes to thinking processes – a type of early onset dementia, loss of muscle control and involuntary movements which lead to loss of speech and swallow along with mental illness. Those impacted by HD may eventually lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink, make decisions or care for themselves and will eventually need 24 hour care. It is also hereditary with each child of those diagnosed at 50% risk developing the disease. There is no cure.

It is estimated there are around 1100 people living with HD in Scotland and between 4-6000 potentially at risk.

‘This is shaping up to be a brilliant night at a great venue and the first 80 tickets sold also get a free gift from our exhibitors, so get your tickets early,’ said SHA community fundraising officer,’ Gemma Powell.

Tickets are £10 from fundraising@hdscotland.org or 0141 848 0308.