The hunt for a VIP model for next week's event in The Mall Howgate came up with lots of deserving cases, and the judges finally narrowed it down to two nominations.

However, they were unable to decide between them and, thanks to the generosity of the sponsors, both will now be given a makeover and a day to remember.

Sheila Bowen of Brightons and Andrea Barclay of Falkirk, will spend next Wednesday afternoon shopping with TV fashion expert Mark Heyes, who regularly appears on "LK Today".

He will help each select up to £250 worth of clothes from Desire by Debenhams, before they have their hair styled by Cutting Edge and make-up by one of the Desire by Debenhams beauticians.

They will then be the star model's in that evening's fashion show, once again being organised by The Mall Howgate in aid of Strathcarron Hospice.

Both women have had links with the hospice in recent months. Sheila's husband Colin (63) has suffered from the rare condition Arachnoiditis for the last 30 years and it has left him in constant pain and literally bed bound.

Mum-of-two Sheila (61) was nominated by Strathcarron social worker Sally Paul, who met her when Colin was admitted for help with pain management.

She said: "Sheila helps him with all aspects of his daily living, including washing, dressing and feeding, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"She spends so much of her life caring for the people she loves that I think not only does she deserve to be pampered but she would also really enjoy and value the experience."

A stunned Sheila said: "This is a lovely surprise but I think it's a bit late for me to be considering a new career.

"However, it will give me something to look forward to.

"We both always try and find something to focus on in the future to help keep us positive and cheery."

Despite still trying to come to terms with the loss of her husband Douglas on June 21, Andrea (53) is credited with helping the rest of the family cope.

Nominated by brother-in-law Glenn Barclay, he said: "She has been the tower of strength to us all, and for someone of only five feet, she is like a giant to us.

"She is just a star and never treats herself."
Douglas (45) died in the hospice just 18 months after first being diagnosed with oesophagael cancer.

Andrea, who has two daughters from her first marriage and is an assistant in Woolworth's in Falkirk, was shocked to hear she would be taking part in the fashion show.

She said: "I've never done anything like this before and I'm sure when it sinks in I'll be nervous.

"The last few months have been hard, but you've just got to get on with life – there's no use sitting about the house moping."

Tickets for the show cost £12 to include refreshments and a goody bag.
They can be bought from the Ask Me point in the mall or directly from the hospice.

All the proceeds from the event on October 8 will go to the hospice which needs £50,000 weekly to operate.