Te Anau fashion designers and retailers will get a chance to strut the catwalk with their latest collections this month, while raising funds for the Fiordland town's emergency helicopter pad, thanks to local service group Te Anau Kepler Lions Club.

Organiser, Lyn Pearson said the event had attracted at least five local businesses with their spring clothing and accessories collections including Kiwi Country, Inspire, Brown and Bespoke Designs by Jane Gilder as well as crafted local products from Kepler Mountain View Alpaca & Merino Clothing, Davaar & Co Woollen Jerseys.

Pearson said they hoped to raise about six or seven thousand dollars from the event but stressed that they needed to sell all the tickets to achieve that.

Part of the anticipated proceeds has already been earmarked towards upgrading the rescue helicopter helipad beside the Fiordland Health Centre.

The helipad is used for air-transport emergency medical evacuations to Dunedin and Invercargill hospitals from the remote Fiordland region.

Veteran Fiordland pilot Sir Richard Hayes said the Helipad at the Health Centre was a vital component of the region’s emergency response infrastructure.

“It’s imperative that the helipad be maintained to the highest possible standard” Sir Richard said.

“It’s not just the local helicopter missions that use it, but the highly specialised emergency response teams from as far afield as Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown”, he said.

The fashion parade is planned for 17th September at the Te Anau Events Centre.

The event will include a light supper and tickets, at $30 per person, can be purchased from Kiwi Country, Inspire and the Te Anau Hospice Shop, as well as Bracken Hall in Mossburn.