Vintage Viola appeals for outfits to help every pupil attend their prom

Vintage Viola, in Golden Square Shopping Centre, will be offering disadvantaged pupils the chance to choose their own dress, suit and accessories completely free of charge.

Sharon Dunne, manager at the store, has been a high school teacher for 25 years and has seen many school leavers avoid their proms because they could not afford to go.

Sharon explained: "I have seen year 11 students pretend they simply are too cool or don’t care about their prom as they know the gown, suit, transport and ticket costs are simply unaffordable for them and their families.

"I believe this is wrong and the community of Warrington can do something to change this.

"I am launching this event now, in 2020, in the hope it will become an annual event and that we can eliminate prom poverty from our town.

"I am urging the whole town to back the event and help every eligible year 11 'go to the ball'."

You can donate outfits at the store in Golden Square

‘Prominence 2020’ aims to help all students, especially those in receipt of pupil premium, feel confident as they celebrate the end of high school.

Sharon is pushing the appeal to include all prom outfits, not just dresses, to find the perfect look for everyone.

She remembered the day her step-son River Reeves, 19, attended his prom dressed in a sharp suit.

River was the lead guitarist in the band Viola Beach, who, along with their manager, Craig Tarry, died in a car accident in Sweden on February 13, 2016.

The River Reeves Foundation (RRF) was then set up by River's dad, Ben Dunne, and step-mum Sharon, to create a lasting legacy for Viola Beach and help other young people realise their dreams.

Sharon with River on his prom day

Sharon created Vintage Viola to help raise funds for the RRF, will all profits made from the shop funding the charity's projects.

She hopes 'Prominance 2020' will help realise the dreams of those who want attend their prom in style.

Sharon added: "We have been gifted this opportunity and it feels right to be doing this.

"It's not just about creating this experience for the kids, it's also trying to stop dresses and outfits going to landfill and bring the town together.

"I know River would think it was a great idea."

The pop-up prom shop is available by invite only.

Teachers, social workers and youth workers in Warrington can request invites for year 11 students that receive pupil premium by emailing sharon@riverreevesfoundation.org.

Guardian reporter Jessica Farrington with assistant manager, Janet Harding

Parents or carers of year 11 students who do not receive pupil premium, but still feel they are be eligible, can speak to their child’s head of year and request an invite.

Dresses and suits can be kept and passed on to friends or relatives for next year, or donated back if they are still in a good condition, to be re-used again.

Residents can help the project by donating clean prom outfits and accessories in good condition, as well as wooden coat hangers, dress rails and suit and dress covers.

Vintage Viola is also looking for other services such as dry cleaning, tailoring, hair and make-up, barber shop vouchers and transport, as part of their Prom Experience raffle prizes.

If you require more information about ‘Prominence 2020’, email Sharon@riverreevesfoundation.org.