Bradford Grammar School pupils are donning the latest fashions in a bid to send a fellow student to university.

Sixth-formers will grace the catwalk tonight to raise cash for cystic fibrosis sufferer Ben Wolfenden.

Determined to overcome the life-threatening illness, the 18-year-old has already scored top GCSE grades, despite sitting some exams with an intravenous drip in his arm.

He now hopes to study maths at Warwick or Bath University but needs a £20,000 air therapy vest to treat symptoms when he moves away from home.

The equipment, which Ben discovered on a website and is only available in America, looks like a life jacket but automatically vibrates to expel mucus from the lungs.

Ben currently relies on his mum, who pummels his chest twice a day to clear the airwaves.

He said: "I've spoken to people on the internet who have the vest in America and they say it gives them a lot more independence.

"I need nebulisers as well, but you can use those at the same time as the vest, so the time is decreased.

"The response to the appeal has been amazing.

"My godfather got it off the ground in December and we're already over halfway.

"The school got to know about it and has been extremely helpful."

Up to 1,000 people have previously attended the sixth-form fashion show, which displays a mix of student creations and outfits from local stores.

This year proceeds will be split between Ben's appeal and children's charity Barnardos.

Other events such as a junior school concert have already contributed to the funds.

Head-teacher Stephen Davidson said Ben was one of the most remarkable people he had ever met.

He said: "His capacity for remaining cheerful, being involved in so many aspects of school life and never feeling sorry for himself is quite astonishing.

"The whole school community is behind Ben on this.

"The pupils want to do lend their support to ensure he has the opportunity that most of them take for granted."

Any money left over from the students' efforts will be donated to a £15 million appeal for gene therapy run by the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

The fashion show will be held tonight at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £7.50.

e-mail: suzy.poole @bradford.newsquest.co.uk