UCD Fashion Show raises €10,000 for Jack Kavanagh Fund

UCD Ents have confirmed that the Nissan Generation Next UCD Fashion Show 2014 has raised €10,000 for the Jack Kavanagh Fund, after proceeds for the charity were tallied following the event, which was held over a two night period in late February.

The UCD Fashion Show returned after a one-year hiatus, a break that organisers felt they needed in order to focus time on other significant projects being undertaken, such as the Community Musical.

Paul Kilgallon, UCD Ents Manager, pointed to the amount of money raised for the Jack Kavanagh Fund as an example of the success of the Fashion Show, which is the most successful charity event run by the office to date.

Over 70 student models took to the stage for the two nights alongside performances from the popular Irish band The Raglans and former X Factor winner Matt Cardle, who played to the sold-out crowds in Astra Hall.

Speaking to the University Observer, Kilgallon said he was pleased at how various groups came together to organise the show, pointing out the involvement of “the UCD Student Centre and its staff, Nissan, the Fashion Show Committee and the models.” He attributed their close working relationship to the success of the charity event.

The full amount raised will go straight to the Jack Kavanagh Fund, which was chosen as this year’s beneficiary ahead of the event itself.

Student Jack Kavanagh suffered a broken neck after diving into the sea in 2012 and the money raised will go towards his treatment and fight against paralysis. Kilgallon said that he was “over the moon” that the event had generated such a significant sum of money for a worthy cause.

Nissan played an active role in the occasion through its “Generation Next” project, which gives ambitious young individuals the use of a Nissan car for a year.

Kilgallon acknowledged how they “facilitated us in every area possible.” Jamie O’Conner, Marketing Executive for Nissan, congratulated the effort of all involved. Saying he was delighted at how “the overall production of the show was a tremendous success” and feels that the company “received great value for our Nissan Generation Next brand.”