Sunderland stars swapped their boots for suits and hit the catwalk for a good cause.

More than half the squad turned out and modelled th e latest fashions to raise money for the SAFC Foundation.

Fresh from last night's Stadium of Light catwalk event, called Fashion Strikes, striker Djibril Cisse, said: "Tonight was great and it was for a good cause. I think we should do more things for charity.

"The outfits were great – I have a fetish for hats so I enjoyed wearing those."

His wife Jude added: "We always like to do stuff for charity. Children look up to footballers like my husband so if we can help them that is brilliant."

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More than half the Sunderland squad joined Cisse on stage to strut their stuff and all agreed it was a fantastic night for a worthy cause.

Defender Danny Collins said: "It has been a real laugh. It's been really good and the lads definitely enjoyed it.

"Hopefully we have raised some good money for the foundation."

There was a party atmosphere backstage as players, their wives and girlfriends and models from Tyne Tees model agency were pampered by Reds and Estee Lauder.

And as the final touches were made to their outfits, children from the Kathleen Davis School of Dance got the crowd warmed up as they performed a series of flawless dance routines.

The audience went crazy as the stars sauntered down the runway when the players took to the stage in their dressing gowns.

One of those players was Kenwyne Jones. The striker said "It has been a brilliant night. It really showed support for the foundation.

"It is good for us to be able to give something back as some people don't have the opportunity to achieve what we have so it is great to help the charity to help kids in the area."

Normally calm and collected in the middle of Sunderlands defence, Anton Ferdinand admitted: "I was a little bit nervous as I have never done anything like this before but it was good, I enjoyed it. It is events like these that enhance charities and help them out."

One player chose to leave the modelling to his teammates and instead he wowed the audience with his musical skills.

Usually known for his magical left foot, Andy Reid took centre stage and shared his hidden talent as he sang and played guitar for an awestruck crowd.

He said: "It's a very good event. A lot of organisation and time has gone into it.

"Performing seemed like a good idea at the time but now I've watched these boys on the catwalk I'm not so sure.

"I have played guitar from a young age and it definitely helps to chill out away from football. You need to – playing guitar is as good a way
as any."

The event was hosted by Sunderland TV presenter Lauren Laverne. As a former member of Kenickie and now a judge on Orange Mobile Act Unsigned and with her own 6music show, she is no stranger to the spotlight but she hasn't forgotten where her home is.

"It is brilliant to be back home, supporting a good cause here at the stadium," she said "I do get up quite regular so I am here every few weeks.

"I don't know much about football and I am not a huge fan but I do know a good cause when I see one and the Foundation is a fantastic thing so I am pleased to be able to support it."

"It is fantastic and so important that the players are taking part. Football is one of the things that inspires young people in Sunderland and in the North East.

"Kids really look up to them and respect them so to actually have them getting involved is wonderful."

The star-studded cast were dressed by Jules B, who are based in Jesmond. Owner Julian Blades was excited to be part of the event and once the clothes had wowed the guests he said: "I am really pleased with tonight, after a difficult start it went well and the boys did a great job.

"They had added real style, panache and eccentricity to the show. Cisse is a real character and he carried the outfits off really well. I am really happy that we could be part of it."

Olympic medallist Tony Jeffries also joined the football heroes on stage and showed off his bronze medal to the crowd.

He was all smiles as he took part and said: "I enjoyed it, I couldn't stop laughing at all the players even though you're supposed to be serious when you're on the catwalk.

"If I was better looking I would do it all the time but I wasn't blessed with good looks – just fighting ability."

Also joining the all-star line up were our model competition winners Toni Harrison and Alan Young.

Toni, of Thornley, said: "It was a great experience. I was really nervous at the beginning but after that I didn't want to get off the stage it was mint."

Other celebrities who joined the Sunderland players and showed their support were Ricky Whittle otherwise known as Calvin Valentine from hit soap Hollyoaks, and X Factor finalists Bad Lashes, who were recently voted out off the show.

The girl band performed several songs including renditions of Gnarls Barkley's Crazy and Amy Whinehouse's Back to black, bringing the Fashion Strikes event to a spectacular finish.

* See tomorrow's Echo for more pictures of the event.