MUM WITH BURMA LINK IS OFFERING SNAPPERS A MODEL DEAL

BY KELLY SHORROCK
KSHORROCK@DERBYTELEGRAPH.CO.UK

A Derby woman whose family live in a cyclone-hit region of Burma is holding an event to raise money for a charity working to help children in the country.

Petra So grew up in the Burmese city of Yangon and now lives in Borrowash.

She works as a model, actress and TV presenter.

After hearing that cyclone Nargis had hit her former hometown she spent an agonising four days waiting by the phone to find out whether family members were dead or alive.

Although her mother's house was damaged by falling trees, none of her family was badly injured.

Others were not so lucky.

The government says the storm from May 2 to May 3 killed 78,000 people and left another 56,000 missing.

An estimated 2.4 million people remain homeless.

Ms So has decided to hold a charity event to raise money to help children there.

She came to England eight years ago to study at Manchester University.

There she met and later married Derby-born Marc Blount, 28. They have a three-year-old son named Louis.

Ms So said: "It was terrifying seeing images in the news of buildings and places I recognised from the city and my family's neighbourhood completely devastated, and not knowing what had happened to them.

"When we got through to them the relief I felt knowing that my family were safe was overwhelming."

Now the 26-year-old has organised a charity photo shoot at her local studio in Long Eaton, with money raised going to Save the Children to fund the charity's work in Burma.

She said: "As a mother myself, the plight of the children in Burma really touched me. Many have been orphaned by the disaster and have nobody to care for them or provide food.

"Save the Children is working to provide a safe place for these children as well as things like water purification tablets, mosquito nets and food."

Having worked as a host on the new version of TV hit Bullseye, as well as taking part in advertising campaigns, appearing in FHM and at local fashion shows, Ms So has been able to use her contacts in the modelling world to ensure the event is a success.

She has arranged for 15 models to spend the day at the Westend Studios in Long Eaton - with photographers then paying to shoot sessions throughout the day.

She will then host a reception in the evening.

"It's a good opportunity for professional photographers to add to their existing portfolio or for amateurs to come and get some experience with professional models in a great studio," she said.

Save the Children spokeswoman Rachel Bhatia said: "We are very grateful to Petra for organising this fund-raising event.

"Her efforts, and those of our generous supporters throughout the UK, will enable Save the Children to buy desperately needed shelter and blankets for the children affected by the cyclone.

"The need is overwhelming, and, as ever in these sorts of emergencies, children are the most vulnerable."

The shoot takes place from 9am to 6pm on Saturday, June 14 at Westend Studios in Westend Mill, Leopold Street.

It is priced at £80 for four hours or £150 for the full day and will be followed by the reception - which is free for photo shoot participants and £15 for others. It will run from 8pm until late..

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