Live Well with Healthy Habits, Blog 9. Catwalk Cabaret

By Ben Elliott

Living well with healthy habits means different things at different times. Sometimes it’s making time to sit and do nothing; sometimes it’s stripping on stage to make money for charity…

Photos by Jervie Ellamil

Live Well Fashion Show

Just over a year ago, I took to the stage for the Live Well Fashion Show, primarily to play my part supporting the event, but also because I’d bought a black and white suit that belonged in the spotlight.

The Live Well Fashion Show was an amazing event, showcasing the people of Live Well with Cancer and the fabulous community we have created over the years.

Looking back, it’s impossible not to smile at the photos from the night. My personal favourite is a photo of me making my way through the room while wearing a toon top and Eddie Howe mask, with my nephew grinning at the spectacle his uncle was making of himself.

Last year's Live Well Fashion Show

This year's Cabaret Catwalk

While Isak is long gone from the toon, the legacy of the event continues to help our community to live well with cancer.

In total, the Live Well Fashion Show raised £5,555 – a blessedly easy to remember fundraising total that made a huge difference to our small charity.

Almost before the Village staff had cleaned the venue, we booked in for the bigger and better sequel on 20^th June 2026.

Catwalk Cabaret

Like many other models from the Fashion Show, I was quick to volunteer for the Catwalk Cabaret. The first time round had been a blur, not least because it was the hottest day of the year, and I was keen to the stage in my black and white suit once more.

We were also joined by new models, people who found support through our services and wanted to give back by stepping out of their comfort zone.

Some of the groups had the foresight to prepare and practise their routines in the build up to the show, while the Live Well Lads relied on the dress rehearsal and natural showmanship to deliver a spirited performance.

As with all we do at Live Well with Cancer, the hardest part is always the people we lose along the way. At the Fashion Show, we remembered Gail and Naomi, two beloved members of our community who would have loved to take the stage on the night.

At the Catwalk Cabaret, we honoured the memories of four adored members of our community. Michelle, Peter, Sarah and Margaret were true Live Well Legends, loved by so many of the people who make our charity what it is.

The Catwalk Cabaret was a chance to remember all we have lost and celebrate all we have gained. Almost 200 people came together to support Live Well with Cancer, raising £8,510 to help people impacted by a cancer diagnosis to live with and beyond a cancer diagnosis.

Live Well Together

Nights like the Catwalk Cabaret show how much our charity has grown since our first donation - £40 from my cousin’s piggy bank.

We’re now embedded within the heart of the North Shields community, helping people in North Tyneside, the surrounding areas and beyond to live well with cancer.

It was amazing to see so many people come together to raise money to fundraise for people impacted by cancer, volunteering their time and energy and donating prizes and money.

One of the drawbacks of being part of the show is that I didn’t get to see the other acts on stage, so I’m glad that we’ll soon be premiering the recording at the Live Well Hub, produced by Heywood and Stuff Productions.

Even before the Catwalk Cabaret was over, I was campaigning for next year’s event – Live Well’s Got Talent at Whitley Bay Playhouse, the venue of our launch in 2019.

In the spirit of going bigger and better, I dream of featuring in the Geordie Cowboys’ Striptease and a puppet performance of Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

You didn’t hear it from me, but the rumour is that we will host a Live Well’s Got Talent as well as country-themed Geordie Howaydoon…