A charity shopper has bagged the bargain of the season after searching out a piece of 'hidden' designer treasure at the Cancer Research UK shop on London Road.
Savvy shopper Julia Millington, aged 42, from Altrincham, is now the proud owner of a brand new Roland Mouret dress. The item is one of a number of designer pieces recently donated to Cancer Research UK as part of the charity's first Tatler Treasure Hunt.
Earlier this year, Tatler magazine joined forces with more than 30 influential designers who pledged to donate pieces for the next three seasons to raise funds for the charity's life saving research. Shoes, scarves, handbags and other stunning creations were hidden in Cancer Research UK shops all over the county, alongside items donated by the local community. They were then sold to lucky shoppers for a fraction of their usual price.
Single mum-of-one Julia, who regularly supports Cancer Research UK having lost her 60-year-old mum to a rare form of cervical cancer in 2008, paid £80 for the frock which would normally retail from £1000 upwards.
Julia said "I am thrilled with my gorgeous new dress and can't believe my luck. I only popped in to the shop for a browse through the rails, so to find a genuine designer creation, at an incredible price, was an unexpected delight.
"The Tatler Treasure Hunt is a brilliant way of highlighting the wonderful things that can be found in the charity's shops every day. What's more, the money raised is funding vital research which is helping more people to beat cancer."
Jane Bullock, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the North West said: "Cancer Research UK's shops are full of amazing hidden gems just waiting to be discovered, thanks to the Tatler Treasure Hunt, this has never been more true.
"We hope these treasure hunts inspire charity shoppers old and new to visit their local shop, rummage through the rails and see what treats can be found in store."
The next Tatler Treasure Hunt will be hitting Cancer Research UK's shops in early spring. Shoppers are encouraged to keep popping into their local store for the chance to nab a designer creation at an incredible price.
Contributing designers included Alberta Ferretti, Anya Hindmarch, Belstaff, Bulgari, Burberry, Chanel, Charlotte Olympia, Christian Louboutin, Daks, Diane von Furstenburg, Dolce & Gabbana, Emilia Wickstead, Erdem, Fendi, Jenny Packham, Jimmy Choo, Maje, Manolo Blahnik, Matthew Williamson, Miu Miu, Moschino, Mulberry, Nicholas Kirkwood, Paul Smith, Ports 1961, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Roksanda Ilincic, Roland Mouret, Rupert Sanderson, Stella McCartney, Temperley, Tod's and Tommy Hilfiger.
Cancer Research UK receives no Government funding for its ground-breaking research so money raised through its shops is crucial to the work of doctors, nurses and scientists who are fighting cancer on all fronts.
