The world of high fashion will invade Barrie on May 31 at a special fundraising event in support of the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride.

Supermodel Coco Rocha, and 20 fellow models, will strut their stuff on the runway at the Roxx Nite Club, showcasing spring fashion by Nygard and Liz Claiborne.

All proceeds will go to The Sears National Kids Cancer Ride, a 7,000-kiloemtre ride from Vancouver to Halifax that raises funds for children with cancer. Along the route, riders will visit Canada’s 17 pediatric oncology hospitals.

A number of the ride’s cyclists and volunteers will also take part in the fashion show, showing off the latest in designer cycling gear. The Barrie Firefighters Calendar models will also be involved.

Rocha, who called from New York to talk to The Advance about the event, said she was glad to help out the ride anyway she could.

“I don’t know why you wouldn’t get involved in something like this,” she said. “It’s going to have a big impact on these kids’ lives.”

Rocha said she was inspired to get involved by her 11-year-old cousin Erika Campbell, who went on the ride last year as a volunteer and youth ambassador.

“My little cousin Erika was really involved in the ride last year. Her best friend had cancer and that’s how she got involved in the first place. She really inspired me,” Rocha said. “She has put so much into this cause that I wanted to do what I could to help her out.”

Rocha said the fashion community has really come together to help make the event a success.
“Everyone has been giving so much of their time. The other models, my agent in Canada, so many other volunteers are coming together to help,” she said. “Everyone is stopping everything else to do this. I don’t think anyone expected this to get this big.”

The fashion show will take place May 31 at the Roxx Nite Club. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. Drew Parker will perform between 5:45 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. There will be a silent auction between 5:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.

The fashion show is a 19-years-and-older event.

Tickets are $25 each, and can be purchased online at www.tourforkids.com/ontario/calendar-of-events.asp#coco .