Macmillan Cancer Support has scored a double whammy at five-star Luton Hoo.

The organisation will go down in history as the last charity to hold an event at the old mansion house – and the first to stage one in the newly-opened luxury Luton landmark.

Both occasions were masterminded by the charity's Harpenden and District fundraising committee.

Event organiser Sadie Homer, together with 80 guests who attended the fashion show on Thursday, were blown away by the historic property's £59 million makeover.

"We were shown round some of the suites," she said. "The furnishing is absolutely fabulous and the views out of this world. They've really done a terrific job. It was very impressive, just like being in a stately home."

The fashion show, preceded by champagne and canapes, was staged in the former Russian Orthodox chapel.

The models sashaying up the catwalk were an intriguing blend of professional and amateur – with a very nervous Sadie being one of the latter.

"It was my first and last time," she vowed. "And I'll never again look at the likes of Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss and think they've got an easy job – it was very hard work. There were eight girls and we had six or seven changes each, everything from casual day wear to designer evening dresses."

Sadie's17-year-old son Sam and his friend Oliver Sharp turned up in tuxedos to assist the models on and off the specially erected catwalk.

The sell-out event was a huge success and raised more than £2,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support. Now Sadie is planning something similar next year.

"We'd like to hold an even larger event next summer," she said."We are interested in building on our historic connection with Luton Hoo. It's such a wonderful asset for this area and we should work together to bring more people to this part of the world.

"We would also like to thank our sponsors – estate agents Strutt and Parker and solicitors Taylor Walton – for enabling us to put on the show."

Boltons in Harpenden provided the fashion, featuring new Italian designer James Lakeland, while Jez Barnett of Luton's Cutting Corner took care of the hair.

Jez said: "It was excellent. We were delighted to be involved. We're hoping to get more social responsibility projects on the go.

"Luton Hoo was very interesting. The chapel where the event was held was magnificent and the dining room looked absolutely splendid. The staff were so nice and helpful and the team really enjoyed being there."

Luton Hoo general manager Sean Spencer said: "We were delighted that Macmillan Cancer Support chose Luton Hoo as the venue for their recent fashion show. We hope to host many more events of this kind."