Anne-Marie Ryan, British Airways’ customer service manager Manchester, Ireland and Jersey, took to a different kind of runway on Friday when she featured in a charity fashion show with style icon Gok Wan.

She was one of 10 models from across the airline who showed off the latest collection from her namesake Anne-Marie McDonagh, the former model and founder of online fashion boutique Serenity & Grace, at the ‘Rock the Runway’ event at British Airways’ headquarters Waterside in London.

Anne-Marie McDonagh talked about the wide range of dresses she has on offer during the show which was compered by television personality Gok Wan, who also did a question and answer session. All proceeds went to Flying Start, British Airways’ global charity partnership with Comic Relief.

Anne-Marie Ryan flew down from Manchester on Friday morning for a make-up and hair session before a briefing with Gok ahead of the show in the Waterside Theatre, attended by colleagues and guests.

She said:

“It was a fantastic experience and lovely to meet Gok Wan who has always been one of my idols. He handed out some really helpful hints and advice and also gave us the confidence to walk down the runway, something I have never done before.

“But I wanted to step outside my comfort zone for this great cause and through sponsorship we hope to have raised a lot of money for Flying Start.”

Earlier this month British Airways celebrated raising £20 million in eight years for Flying Start. Thanks to the generosity of customers and colleagues they hit the milestone sum two years ahead of the 2020 target. Since the start almost 630,000 young people have benefited from Comic Relief partnership projects in the UK and overseas.