Conwy woman's fashion show for arthritis charity

Oct 8 2009

A YOUNG woman is organising a fashion show to raise funds for a charity close to her heart.

Amy Noden, 27, of Conwy, will hold the fashion show on Saturday, November 7, in aid of Arthritis Research Campaign, whose pioneering treatment has turned her life around.

Amy, who is a partner at Chatter Box Designer Wear & Accessories and Lingerie Box in Conwy was only four years old when she diagnosed with arthritis.

By the time she was 11, her symptoms disappeared and she resumed a normal life until it returned, cruelly, when she was 18, and within six months psoriatic arthritis took over her whole body leaving her bedridden.

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis that can affect the joints and the skin, resulting in chronic pain and immobility.

After being referred to a consultant rheumatologist at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Amy was treated with various drugs.

Four years ago, Amy was put on a ground-breaking drug called Enbrel, one of a new class of anti-TNF therapies pioneered by medical research charity the Arthritis Research Campaign, which have transformed the lives of millions of people with inflammatory arthritis worldwide. Whilst Amy does not enjoy the weekly self-injection, the relief from pain and improved mobility it brings her makes it worthwhile.

Amy said: "If I was not on this drug I would not be able to get out of bed! "And it doesn’t make me ill like the other arthritis drugs. It hasn’t got rid of my condition completely. I am still in pain, but nowhere near what it used to be like."

With the use of this new drug and the fantastic support she receives from the staff at Llandudno Hospital Amy is full of life and wants to give something back.

Amy added: "Most people do not understand that young people can suffer from arthritis and I want to raise awareness by hosting the fashion show."

"I also want to create awareness for Conwy – now fast becoming a key individual shopping destination and want to give something back to the Arthritis Research Campaign, as they have found a suitable medication to make the pain of arthritis just that little bit easier."

Regional Fundraising Manager for the Arthritis Research Campaign Ruth Owen, said: "Sadly Amy’s situation is not as uncommon as people would think, with thousands of children and young people each year suffering the pain of arthritis."

"I am so pleased and very proud that the Arthritis Research Campaign is responsible for easing some of Amy’s pain and delighted that she is arranging this fundraiser for us.

"It should be a terrific night which I hope will be widely and enthusiastically supported."

Amy will host the fashion show in the Conwy British Legion with Jane Hawksworth from local Conwy Ladies Fashion and Accessories shop Flirt. All profits will go to the charity that discovered the drug that has given Amy her life back.

The show will start at 7.30pm followed by an after party and is sponsored by Chatter Box, Flirt, The Dressing Room, Sunset Club, Smart Ass Menswear, The Celtic Shop (Gothic Crypt) and 3D Hair & Beauty. Tickets are £3.50 and can be purchased from each of these shops in Conwy.

For more details, contact Amy on 01492 582200, e-mail her at mail@chatterboxfashion.co.uk or call into Chatter Box at 13 High Street, Conwy.