A group of mums have arranged a second prom for those who missed out due to Covid-19.

Sarah Parry, Ali Ward, Julie-Ann Armitage and Terri Cook came together after their children missed their prom at Ballakermeen High School.

On the evening of September 2, an event will be held for those who missed their official prom and currently 22 students are confirmed to attend.

Terri Cook felt it was important to mark the occasion.

She said: ’There’s four of us that just decided that the kids had missed out on so much over the last two years.

’They didn’t get to do their work experience, they’ve missed out on so much school. Their GCSE years are the last time they’re all going to be together before they go off in their different directions.

’The nail in the coffin really was that a lot of them had Covid and couldn’t actually go to their prom, which was really sad.

’This was the last bit of their high school journey and it was such a shame they missed it.’

There will be a pre-prom gathering, a prom and an after-prom party for the students and they will be able to invite their friends to the event.

Terri continued: ’Although there were 25 or 26 children who missed the prom, prom’s not the same if you don’t have all of your mates there so we’re opening that up to kids from other schools.

’We just want them to have the whole experience as much as they possibly can, it’s not fair that they had to miss it.’

Terri said the reaction to the idea from the students was ’brilliant’.

’They’re all thankful as anything that they’re actually going to get a prom,’ she said. ’And because it’s the week before they go back to school or college, the rest of them are just looking forward to a massive party.’

The event has been funded by donations, a fee for those attending and a company who wanted to get involved.

The group of mothers have rented dining igloos from The Little Igloo Company for the students to sit in when having their meal.

Artisan Platters got in touch with the group to provide the food.

’They very kindly messaged me and said "we know there were 20 children that missed out on the prom, we want to donate the artisan platters for 20 to cover that", so that’s really good of them,’ Terri said.

She added: ’The school charged £45 for their prom, the parents got £30 back so it’s just the £30 we’ve asked them for to cover the cost of the igloos.

’After-prom will just be a donation towards the marquee for them because we can’t do it as a ticketed event.’

Other mothers who helped organise the prom felt it was the right thing to do.

Ali said: ’Izzy and her friends have spent their GCSE years juggling lockdowns, teachers’ strikes and cancellations of 16th birthday celebrations.

’For them to then catch Covid the week of prom was heartbreaking.

’Whilst their best friends were getting dressed up and ready to party, our kids were cancelling hair and makeup appointments and hanging their dresses back in their wardrobes.

’Prom take two was essential.’

Julie-Ann added: ’The memory of my own prom lives with me to this day. The kids have missed out on enough.’