WEDDING bells have rung out for the daughter of an African Chief after finding her dream dress 4,000 miles away in a North East charity shop.
Edrin Dafiaghor, daughter of Chief and Mrs Jimmy Dafiaghor and second youngest of 21 children, celebrated her big day in style after help from staff at St Teresa’s Hospice superstore on McMullen Road, Darlington.
Sister-in-law Wendy Dafiaghor, who lives in Darlington, said: “Edrin contacted me from Nigeria to say she was getting married and was looking for a white wedding dress.
“Unable to find what she was looking for at home, I offered to help but after searching many shops in Darlington I was struggling to find a dress that wasn’t cream.
“Then I went into St Teresa’s charity shop in the town centre and was told to contact their new St T’s Superstore where they had just had a delivery of wedding dresses donated by a local bridal store.”
After telling staff the colour, size and design of the dress she was looking for Wendy received a call from St T’s Superstore floor manager Rose Wills who had found the only white gown among 70 wedding dresses donated by Bexbrides, of Hurworth.
“Rose sent me pictures of the dress and it was so beautiful that I arranged to pay and pick it up straight away,” said Wendy.
“When I got it home I sent some more pictures to Edrin and she was over the moon with the dress, it made her a very happy lady as the wedding was only two weeks away. One of my brothers-in-law was visiting the UK at the time and he was able to take the dress back to Nigeria just in time for the wedding.
“Edrin looked absolutely stunning at the wedding and she and her new husband Jerry had a beautiful day helped by the kind staff at St T’s Superstore.”
St T’s Superstore floor manager Rose Wills added: “It was wonderful that we were able to help a bride find her dream dress even from thousands of miles away.
“The donation from Bexbrides was incredibly generous and although we don’t have a specific wedding dress shop the dresses are now on sale at our premises at 8 Skinnergate, Darlington, where hopefully we will be able to help lots of other brides find their perfect wedding day dress.”
Bexbrides owner Rebecca Lombard-Earl said: “We are fortunate to be part of many brides’ big days, offering the largest choice of vintage, retro and designer sample wedding dresses in the region.
“We inevitably end up with more gowns than we need and are delighted to donate them to worthwhile causes to benefit brides who can buy a gown at an affordable price. We are thrilled St T 's is making excellent use of our donation as it's a vital charity very close to our hearts.”