A 23-YEAR-old dental nurse from Salisbury is going to trash her wedding dress – and raise cash for a hospice that helped her niece.

Holly Stocker will take part in the Naomi House Children’s Hospice’s Rainbow Run on September 7, wearing her wedding gown.

Mrs Stocker only tied the knot with her husband Craig on July 5. Just two months later she and her sister-in-law Megan will be running around Southampton city centre.

She said: “When my beautiful niece Ellie was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) at just a few months old, Naomi House helped my brother and his girlfriend through an extremely difficult time.

“She was able to enjoy the amazing sensory room and pool. When Ellie passed away, my brother and his girlfriend were able to stay with her at Naomi House until her funeral.

“I'd like to give something back to Naomi House by doing this Rainbow Run. I hope to raise as much money as I can.

“Craig’s all for it. We can’t store the dress anywhere because it is just so big, so I thought it would be nice to do something for charity.

“A couple of people have told me not to ruin the dress, but I really wanted to do something unusual.”

Keith Wilson, spokesman for Naomi House & Jacksplace, said: “Holly is one of 400 people already signed up to take part in the Rainbow Run, but she is likely to be the best dressed participant on the day.

“It is a really fun way for Holly to say goodbye to her wedding gown. We can’t wait to see her on her second big day.”

The Rainbow Run is one of the largest events organised by Naomi House in aid of the Caterpillar Appeal, to raise more than £4 million to fully refurbish the 17-year-old Naomi House building. Construction work has already begun.

Plans include increasing the size of children’s bedrooms and bathrooms, creating dedicated play and music therapy spaces and the installation of high specification technology needed by children in the charity’s care.

To sponsor Mrs Stocker click here.