House guests who really did have a smashing time

ALONGSIDE helping Erin Pizzey after she founded domestic abuse shelter Refuge, I was involved in the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, the National Association of Maternal and Child Welfare, and was president of the disability equality charity now known as Scope, so I arranged many events and fundraisers. One of my favourite parties involved no dressing up or celebrity appearances. It was Colin’s idea, and it was a stroke of genius. When we bought our house in Chelsea, and realised that as it was it couldn’t be saved, we turned the demolition of the interior into a party. For a donation to the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, our guests were invited to come and let rip. No fancy outfits were required, just old clothes, a hard hat and some safety spectacles, which we provided. No props, except for a hammer or a mallet and some spray cans of paint. It was thrilling. We were allowed to do exactly what we wanted and I’d never felt so liberated. Lots of friends and family came. We put out tables of food and drink where they wouldn’t get dusty, and played very loud music, which encouraged people to let loose. As for the graffiti . . . Well, it was interesting to see what people drew when they knew it wouldn’t last. I said to Colin: ‘I’ve always longed to write the word “f***” and now I can.’ I sprayed it across a wall with my paint tin, feeling very reckless and rude. Everyone went potty, and though the place was an absolute wreck, people felt as though they had never had such a fun time. The last person to leave was Colin’s mother. She was still madly bashing things when everyone else had gone, absolutely gleeful with it.