DUCFS 2026 raised a record £232,049.64, split between headline charity partner Marie Curie and our North-East outreach platform, DUCFS Launchpad
'Sixteen months ago, when I stepped into my role as President of Durham University Charity Fashion Show 2026, I don’t think I could have imagined we’d be announcing a figure of £232,049.64. Now, after witnessing the exceptional talent and commitment of our team, it is easy to understand how we got here.’ - Charlotte Edwards (Durham University Charity Fashion Show President, 2026)
About Durham University Charity Fashion Show:
Durham University Charity Fashion Show (DUCFS) is a year-round charity fundraising campaign that celebrated its 43rd year in 2026. We are Europe's largest student-led charitable event. Last year’s campaign officially launched during Freshers’ Week with our annual Market Square Takeover, which brought together fashion brands, sponsors, students and the wider Durham community. The event also announced our headline charity partner, Marie Curie. Our public campaign included individual fundraising efforts led by members of our Executive Committee, models and ambassadors, alongside a programme of events throughout Michaelmas and Epiphany. The campaign culminated in our four-night show week in mid-February. We also have DUCFS THREAD, our creative journalistic platform, which won Best Magazine Design at the Student Publication Association Awards last year. Alongside this, DUCFS Launchpad is our local outreach platform, providing funding and volunteer support to projects in and around Durham.
'Above all else, we wanted to put charity at the heart of everything we did' – DUCFS 2026 Presidential Team
The campaign network and record-setting money raised:
Our campaign involved an Executive Committee of over 50 students, 50 models and more than 100 ambassadors. Approximately 800 students auditioned to model in the DUCFS 2026 show. The four-night show week sold out, welcoming approximately 4000 guests in total. For DUCFS 2027, we interviewed our Executive Committee from a pool of more than 120 applicants.
DUCFS 2026 raised a record £232,049.64, with £206,363.36 going to our headline charity partner, Marie Curie, and £34,363.36 going to DUCFS Launchpad.
'This total is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our outstanding exec, models and ambassadors’ - DUCFS 2026 Presidential Team
The donation to Marie Curie will fund the North East Clinical Educator role for one year and the Durham Companion Service for two years.
'We could not be prouder of this incredible total or more excited about the impact it will make.' – DUCFS 2026 Presidential Team
The donation to DUCFS Launchpad funded £8,000 for our projects during the 2026 campaign, including the Launchpad DJ School, as well as partnerships with RT Minds, Durham for Refugees, Changing Lives, and CATSS.
£16,363.36 will fund DUCFS Launchpad projects in 2027.
£10,000 will fund the new DUCFS Launchpad Ignition Grant, which will provide annual seed funding to help Durham University Students develop creative and charitable projects that make a lasting difference across the North East and within the Durham student community.
Getting involved with DUCFS:
DUCFS provides many opportunities for students at Durham University and in nearby educational institutions. It provides a sense of community for more than 200 students each year and offers a way for them to channel their creativity alongside their studies. Incoming students have another way to find their people, learn something new and work within a driven team to contribute to Europe's largest student-led fundraiser.
We offer a variety of student positions, from roles which develop tangible skills, such as photo editing or videography, to positions which strengthen soft transferable skills valued by employers. Working within a structured organisation with regular meetings and strict workflow deadlines prepares students for transitioning into various workplaces. The leadership structure also allows students to take on the responsibility of leading a team or a number of teams. Ultimately, the most valuable employability skill is contributing to a meaningful project that students can discuss with passion in the next step of their lives.
Looking ahead:
DUCFS is proud of the impact its community has achieved in its 2026 campaign, which is a reflection of the motivated students who led the campaign. Charity is at the heart and soul of the campaign - the whole team believes in the project and works hard to see each step of it through. We are extremely grateful for the support we receive from Durham Students' Union, who trust and empower us to succeed each year. They are absolutely instrumental, and the time spent on the SU side really unlocks our fundraising potential. On behalf of the 2027 Executive Committee, we cannot wait to share what we have in store for next year.
'I’m so inspired by the record-breaking fundraising achieved by the DUCFS 2026 campaign. This incredible achievement is a testament to the commitment of hundreds of students who dedicate their time, energy and passion alongside their studies to supporting phenomenal causes across the North East. While charity is at the heart of DUCFS, our greatest strength lies in our people. I’m honoured to lead the next chapter of DUCFS and see what we can achieve together.' - Harriat Bishop (President 2027)