VICTORIA'S Promise is a local cancer support charity founded in the name of Victoria van der Westhuizen by her family who wishes to fulfil the promise made by her before passing away from cancer at the age of 29.

Victoria promised that once she was better, she would work to help fill the gaps in cancer care she had experienced during both her parent's journey with cancer and her own.

Victoria’s Promise (VP) provide emotional, physical, practical and social support for all their women (their VIPs). This support ensures every young woman is given the best opportunity and hope of surviving their cancer diagnosis, improves their quality of life and helps them flourish after treatment.

Despite demand, these services are currently unavailable to women in Winchester.

Mandy Chard, VP’s Winchester Ambassador, who has faced her own cancer journey explains how vital the expansion of the charity is.

"VP’s presence in the city would be a game changer in cancer support for young women like me" she says. There is simply nothing else in the area that provides the support Victoria’s Promise do."

This year, VP are expanding their services into Winchester.

Hosting their first Women’s Network this April, the charity plans to expand all of their care services into the city on a permanent basis by the end of the year, with their #VP2W campaign.

By raising £100,000 the charity will be able to ensure that every young woman affected by cancer in Winchester will have access to VP’s services from the moment of their diagnosis and beyond.

The services they offer include, but are not limited to, the very best one on one counselling for VIPs and their families, oncology massages, cancer coaching, skin care advice, home cleaning and child care.

VP is excited to announce that their first Winchester based event, in aid of their #VP2W campaign, will be a fashion show during Winchester Fashion Week.

The show will be held on Wednesday, April 18 at the beautiful 17th century Milner Hall.

It will be an evening of fashion and entertainment featuring Mint Tea Boutique and local designer Deborah Campbell.

Treated to a welcome drink on arrival, guests will also have the opportunity to purchase items from the collections shown on the night, helping raise money for such a worthwhile cause. A raffle and a mini auction will also be held on the night where guests will have the chance to win a stay in a luxury Greek villa.

There will also be a cash bar serving a selection of wines, beer and soft drinks.

In the second half of the show some of the charity’s fabulous VIPs, fashioned by celebrity stylist Casey Paul, will be taking to the runway, aiming to help empower other women in similar situations to their own.

For tickets and more information, contact Mandy Chard at mandychard@hotmail.co.uk or call 07774614753