‘One stop shop’: Northern NSW mum’s mission to dress battlers kids for their year 12 formals

An inspiring Northern Rivers mum is using a network stretching three states to organise donated clothing, hair and makeup for school leavers battling to make it to formals. Here’s her story.

A Northern Rivers mum has made it her mission to make send offs for graduating year 12 students the best last hurrah ever - no matter how much they have available to spend.

Using a network of parents across three states, former educator Fran Hotschilt organises donated frocks, suits, shoes, accessories, jewellery and even hair and makeup.

“After working previously in a local high school, you see students who aren’t fortunate enough to attend their formals because it is a large financial outlay,” she said.

Fran Hotschilt from Year 12 Free Formal Dress Hire Northern Rivers NSW is collaborating with a network of parents, carers, and donors to dress and doll up the region's Year 12's cohorts for their last hurrah.

With support from parents performing similar good deeds in Queensland, southern NSW and Victoria, Ms Hotschilt said she started a formal wear hub because one did not exist locally.

“I thought I’d start with one or two dresses and suits and now it’s really grown,” she said.

Ms Hotschilt went from dressing two students five years ago to more than 20 school leavers this year from Alstonville, Ballina, Evans Head, Kyogle, Lismore and Lennox Head.

One of the students ready to hit his formal.

Ms Hotschilt meets some inspiring young people working hard to succeed, sometimes in challenging circumstances.

“I met a young girl a couple of weeks ago and she basically works four jobs,” Ms Hotschilt said.

“This girl actually walked some way to come and try on a dress and I dropped her home because she had no way to get back to Alstonville. I asked her what’s her dream, what does she want to be and she said she wanted to be a pediatrician.

“She had just the one pair of boots she had been making do with for everyday use and work.”

Ms Hotschilt was pleased to be able to help.

“I managed to find her a pair of heels, a hand bag and a beautiful gown that just fitted her perfectly for her formal,” she said.

“ … I have also booked her in for a donated hair and makeup service so she will now have no concerns – she will be able to go to her formal and it’s going to be a special day.”

Fran Hotschilt has been working to ensure every student can enjoy their send off.

The Ballina mum said she provides a low-key experience where teens looking for formal wear can visit with caregivers in a relaxed setting.

Donna Martin said her daughter was often reluctant to go out and try clothes on.

“Fran was really good. We had two goes at it and we found something she really liked,” she said.

“I was desperately looking for help to dress my daughter for her formal and I saw something on Facebook around six months ago,” Ms Martin said.

“I messaged Fran and she said come out and have a look and we came back twice (laughs).

“We got her a nice dress and she’s going to look absolutely beautiful.

“Fran’s offered hair and makeup too, she’s a one-stop shop.”