The district’s favourite frugal fashionista has been nationally recognised for her creative fundraising efforts with a national award, beating more than 10,000 other nominees.
Harpenden mum of three Caroline Jones set up a JustGiving page at the beginning of the year for her ‘Knickers Model’s Own’ campaign; a fashion-focused tribute to her late mother, Mary, who used to volunteer in Harpenden’s Cancer Research UK.
She won the JustGiving award for most Creative Fundraiser of the Year last Wednesday (23) after her campaign, which originally set out to raise just £1,000, turned into a national social media sensation.
The 47 year old is wearing solely pre-loved clothing for the entire year and now hopes to raise £36,500 for the charity.
She was whittled down to the final three following thousands of nominations for the award, and didn’t find out until the evening of the ceremony that she was the winner.
Caroline said: “It was just emotions, they were all over the place, I was just so proud of my campaign and at that time everything came into perspective.
“It was a moment of realisation that I’m very proud of my campaign and how far it has reached. It’s not just about the money it’s raised but the people it’s touched.”
Caroline wore a pre-loved Mary Portas dress and shoes and took her father as her date for the evening.
She added: “I wore a beautiful deep damson dress and people were coming up to me saying ‘I love what you’re wearing!’.”
Caroline still has three months left of her year long campaign, in which she has refrained from wearing or buying any ‘new’ clothes.
She commented: “On a personal level this award has given me a massive boost to really go for the last 90 days, it’s re-energised me.
“It’s given me credibility and emphasised that charity clothing can be fashion forward.
“My personal grief hasn’t changed but this is a huge positive in my life and I’m going to miss it.”
Caroline has planned various events as part of her Knickers Model’s Own campaign, including a disco, a catwalk show in this year’s St Albans Fashion Week, and an auction in November where she will sell off her entire wardrobe.
To sponsor Caroline click here.
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