Online auction of former soap star’s outfits for charity
AFORMER Emmerdale actress is putting a range of special items of clothing up for sale in an online auction, to help raise money for patients with cancer and other lifelimiting illnesses.
Roxanne Pallett, who has also starred in shows such as Waterloo Road and Dancing on Ice, as well as musical theatre productions including The Wedding Singer and The Rocky Horror Show, has donated the outfits – many of which have been worn at high profile parties or red carpet events – to St Ann’s Hospice.
The charity cares for thousands of patients every year from its three sites in Heald Green, Little Hulton and Wythenshawe Hospital and in the local community too.
Eamonn O’Neal, chief executive of the hospice, explained: “Roxanne has been a long-term supporter of Eden Valley Hospice in her home town and has raised more than £70,000 for them over the years, which is amazing. When she moved to the northwest we were thrilled that she asked if she could help St Ann’s out in any way too.
“We’re a charity, so support like this is invaluable in enabling us to provide our care to patients from across Greater Manchester and their loved ones. Roxanne has a very loyal fan base and we’re hoping that as many people as possible will join her in supporting the hospice by bidding for a piece or two in the auction.
“On behalf of all the patients, staff and volunteers, I’d like to say a huge thank you to her for her support. We’re really looking forward to seeing how much the auction raises.”
Roxanne Pallett said: “I’ve always valued the incredible work hospices do for those fighting illness and the support they give their families. Having been a volunteer as a teenager at my local hospice, I know how vital funds are to these sanctuaries, which is mostly down to donations.
“If some of my items that I’ve worn to showbiz events and on screen can sell and raise even a little money for St Ann’s Hospice then it will go to benefit making someone a little more comfortable and happier.
“I’m hoping I can also inspire others to go to their wardrobe and see what they can also donate to their local hospice shops so together we can all make a bigger difference.”
The charity, which has 14 shops in Greater Manchester, has recently launched online shops on eBay and Facebook marketplace (www.sah.org.uk/shoponline), which are proving popular thanks to the wide range of new and pre-loved goods on sale.
Eamonn added: “We’re thrilled that the online shops are already performing so well for us and we’ve recently had some really interesting items on sale. Historic books, signed memorabilia and new and pre-loved Christmas gift ideas have all helped sales on the eBay site to increase by 400 per cent and we’re hoping that, as we approach the end of the year, this latest auction will really help to increase the money raised for our patients even further.”
The auction will be live on the hospice eBay page http://stores.ebay.co.uk/ stannshospicetradingcompany/ until Sunday, December 3. »»*For more information on St Ann’s please visit www.sah.org.uk or to visit the hospice’s online shops go to www.sah. org.uk/shop-online.