Locals have very generously donated hundreds of dresses.
The exam period has just ended, and so begins the season of the summer ball.
Unfortunately, rising costs make this an especially stressful time for some families. So, for the second year in a row, the Burton Youth for Christ charity opened its ‘Pop-Up Prom Dress Shop’ at The Community Church, Stapenhill, in February – and on a smaller scale, earlier this month at its town centre offices – to support those unable to afford a ball dress.
Thanks to the support of local people and businesses, this year’s pop-up shop was bigger than the last – with well over 200 dresses, in all different styles, put on display for Year 11 girls from eight local schools.
“People are so generous,” said the charity’s Team Administrator, Sue Jolley. She pointed in particular to the Prom & Occasion shop in the Octagon Shopping Centre, as well as Brides of Ashby and Beau Belles, Borrowash, among the others that have donated dresses.
Students identified by their school as needing further support – either because they receive free school meals, or at the school’s discretion – were invited to the pop-up shop to try on any of these varied dresses, collectively worth thousands of pounds, and to take one home (and keep it) for free.
Fifty-one girls found the dress for them, after also enjoying free drinks and homemade cake! Sue told the Echo that “we’d love to wish every one of them the BEST prom night ever”.
Burton Youth for Christ has also expressed its thanks to Winshill & Brizlincote County Councillor Conor Wileman, “whose £500 grant from the Community Fund has bought the equipment we need”.
The charity is continuing to accept dress donations through the year, ahead of its 2027 pop-up shop. These can be dropped off at their offices during opening hours: The Warehouse, r/o 83 High Street, DE14 1LD.
For more information, call 01283 531 722, or email info@burton.yfc.co.uk.
