IT IS a dress so special women may only get one chance to wear it.
But hundreds of women, men and children are being offered the chance to experience the magic of being a bride – without the pressure of a big day or even the need to get hitched!
Hampshire charity The Countess Mountbatten Hospice is hoping to rally hundreds of people in wedding dresses to help them crack a world record while also raising vital funds to support people who are terminally ill.
To claim a Guinness World Record the charity needs more than 748 people to take part.
Organisers hope they can treble the numbers who turned out for last year’s event in the county, where 242 donned white dresses for the Brides in the Aisles challenge at Haskins garden centre in West End.
Pam Bates, fundraising manager for the hospice, said: “This event is great fun, why wouldn’t you want to feel special and put on a wedding dress for the day?
“Last year was a great success we had lots of fun with music and dancing and some bubbly for everyone so this time will be the same but we need everyone to just come in their frocks and not only wear a dress but raise money for the hospice.”
Brides can come from all walks of life for the challenge – just like Eastleigh Lib Dem parliamentary candidate, Mike Thornton, who has already been encouraging people to take part and don a frock.
He said: “If a politician can do it so can everybody else. The people at the hospice do such fantastic work for people so I can’t think of anything better to do to show some support.
“Anyone can get involved whether you’re one or 100, male or female we should all take part and really try to break this record for the hospice this is a great chance for a community to come together and do something truly special for those who really need that extra bit of care and respite.”
The event will be held in the aisles of Haskins garden centre on Sunday, May 10 from 5pm and anyone hoping to take part can either wear their own wedding dress, call the hospice to see if they have any in their size or visit charity shops like Sue Ryder and Oxfam.
Registration costs £10, to find out more visit cmhcharity.org.uk/events
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