Miss Gowns manager Lisa Marshall and employee Teagan Johnson have helped make a dream come true for a Cranbourne teenager. 85043 Picture: Donna Oates
By Bridget Cook
A CRANBOURNE teenager will get the chance to have her Cinderella moment thanks to a Berwick business.
In a Fairy Godmother-like act, Miss Gowns in Berwick has come to the rescue to ensure Hallam Senior college student Rachael Hunt gets to take part in her school’s debutante ball on Friday.
Rachael’s mother is suffering from pancreatic cancer, and is currently going through chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Due to extensive medial expenses, her family was unable to afford for Rachael to do her deb.
With Rachael to be the only student to miss out on the ball, her teacher Katie Curran began approaching local businesses to see if they could help.
Miss Gowns owner Loraine Marshall and manager Lisa Marshall agreed to donate a debutante dress, shoes and accessories to Rachael for her special night.
Another Miss Gowns employee, Teagan Johnson, who is a qualified beautician, also agreed to do Rachael’s hair and make-up for the occasion.
The businesses alterations lady, Kathryn Martin, even agreed to do all alterations free of charge.
“I can’t thank them enough for what they have actually done for me,” Rachael said.
“They are so generous and kind for what they have offered and given to me.
“I feel very special and to know that there are people like them is beautiful.
“Thankyou so much for what you have done. It brings me to tears to know they care about this one special night.”
Dressed in a princess-style gown, Rachael will get to now take part in her school’s ball tomorrow night at Merrimu Receptions, Murrumbeena.
“It means so much to me that I’ve gotten the chance to do my deb, also with such an amazing partner,” she said.
“Doing your deb is such an amazing part of your life, something inspiring and to experience that with my family is a great thing.
“If I didn’t get the chance to do it, I would have been so disappointed and heartbroken.
“This night means a lot to me and knowing that it’s a few days away and getting trials done have made me more excited than I already was.”
Lisa Marshall said Rachael would be coming into the store on Friday to get ready for the big night.
“We are really excited for that,” she said.
“We will have our cameras ready to take lots of photos.
“Hallam Senior College also offered us tickets to the deb, so we are excited to see Rachael get presented.”
Ms Marshall said her mother Loraine was more than happy to help when she heard about Rachael’s story.
“She knows what it’s like to have four kids to look after and can’t imagine having to suffer from an illness on top of everything,” she said.
“We are all a team at Miss Gowns and have all worked together to make this possible.
“It’s nice to just do something for the community.”
