Dame Joan Collins officially re-opens charity’s newly refurbished shop

GLOBAL superstar, Dame Joan Collins brought her trademark glitz and glamour to Hampton Hill, west London, on Thursday (27 April) at the official re-opening of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices charity shop, before visiting families supported by the charity at their Hampton hospice, Shooting Star House.

Shooting Star Children’s Hospices provides vital care and support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families across West London and Surrey.

Dame Joan Collins, one of the Vice-Presidents of the charity, officially re-opened the charity shop, located on Hampton Hill High Street, which has been newly refurbished following a break-in. Joined by staff, volunteers and supporters of the charity, she showed them first-hand some of the beautiful items she had kindly donated – from designer hats to shoes, dresses and tops.

Following the shop’s re-opening, Dame Joan visited the charity’s west London hospice, Shooting Star House in Hampton, their Outreach, Therapy and Family Support Centre. Here she met with families supported by the charity for a special afternoon tea and enjoy some special activities as well as sing a song using Makaton.

Dame Joan Collins, Shooting Star Children’s Hospices Vice-President said:

“I began my association with Shooting Star Children’s Hospices in 2003. 2023 will mark my twentieth year, and I am thrilled to still be part of such a special charity and so happy to officially re-open their charity shop in Hampton Hill. It’s an honour to be able to donate items from my own personal wardrobe to help Shooting Star Children’s Hospices continue their wonderful work in supporting all those families who need them now and in the future. The day was all the more special by being able to enjoy an afternoon tea and spend time with supported families at their west London hospice, Shooting Star House.”

Karen Sugarman MBE, Executive Vice-President at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices said:

“Dame Joan has made a significant difference to our work over the last 20 years, embracing the families we care for, whilst supporting on so many levels with our critical fundraising. We have shared so much fun, love and special moments over the last 20 years and Dame Joan is dearly loved by us all at the charity.

“A huge thank you must go to Fairlands Contractors Ltd, who kindly provided their valuable time and materials for the completion of the refurbishment at the Hampton Hill shop, following a break-in. They have one of our longest-standing supporters and provided much-needed help for many projects in our shops and hospices.”

A stalwart supporter of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, Dame Joan Collins’ visit to the Hampton Hill shop and Shooting Star House, is just the latest in a number of generous activities she has undertaken as a Vice-President of the charity. Alongside regularly donating items from her personal wardrobe to the charity’s retail shops, she has treated supported families to exclusive afternoon teas and special breakfasts. Dame Joan officially opened the Cobham and Weybridge shops and has appeared on Celebrity Deal or No Deal and Celebrity Who Wants to be a Millionaire to raise vital funds for the charity. Dame Joan received her Damehood in 2015 for years of charity work.

For more information about Shooting Star Children’s Hospices shops, please visit: www.shootingstar.org.uk/shops and find out more about how you can support the charity visit www.shootingstar.org.uk.