A FASHION show starring models who have overcome sickness and injury as a result of serving their country with the Armed Forces takes to the catwalk next week.

The Phoenix House fashion show, now in its fourth year, is an inspiration evening where veterans, serving personnel and their families who have struggled with illness and injury can celebrate how far they have come in recovery and what they have achieved.

Phoenix House, a Help for Heroes run recovery centre in Catterick Garrison, caters for a wide range of mental and physical injury and offers veterans and personnel the chance to learn new skills, build confidence and put their lives back on track.

It also allows families to get the support they need with Band of Sisters, which is a group made up of people who know what each other is going through in caring for a loved one.

Former Northern Echo editor Peter Barron will return as the show’s compere.

He said: “It is always an honour and an inspiration to host the Phoenix House fashion show and I have no doubt that we are in for another unforgettable event.”

Anna Pollock, who modelled in last year’s show for the first time, said it was the scariest thing she has ever done, but is proud of her achievement.

She said: “For people with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), having all eyes on them is often their worst fear.

“So to get up in front of an audience is a massive stepping stone in their recovery. For amputees or people with disfigurements it’s about having the confidence to say, “This is me: it’s ok to be me and it’s ok for you to look at me. “If you’re at the stage of your recovery where you have the confidence to do that, then you have come a long way. And I can’t tell you how good you feel once you realise what you have achieved by taking part.”

Mrs Pollock served in the RAF for seven years including a tour of Iraq and Basra. A bleed on her spine in 2013 resulted in nerve damage, leaving her reliant on the use of a wheelchair.

Melanie Dickinson, interim head of recovery north, said: “Servicemen, women and veterans who have suffered life-changing injuries and illnesses, and some of the people who support them, will conquer their fears and take to the catwalk alongside professional models.

Our mission is to inspire and enable our heroes on their road to recovery promoting confidence and resilience to live active, independent and fulfilling lives. We deliver this across five key areas – medical, mind, body, spirit and family – through financial support, recovery services and with specialist charity partners.”