Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Star couple drop off a boot-load of donations
STAFF at a Gloucester charity were bowled over when celebrity couple Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash arrived to drop off some donations.
The couple, who recently celebrated the birth of baby Rex, popped into Gloucestershire Bundles this week.
Stacey, who rose to fame on the sixth series of ITV’s X Factor, had posted on Instagram that she wanted to be able to give some of the baby clothes that newborn Rex has grown out of to a worthwhile charity.
The Loose Women presenter has been praised for her honesty following the birth of her third son, posting on Instagram about the realities of postpartum emotions, breastfeeding and “mum guilt”.
Ex- EastEnders star Joe and Stacey posed for pictures with staff, who were delighted to welcome the pair to their Gloucester storage unit.
Gloucestershire Bundles founder and trustee Dawn Dolphin said: “The lady who deals with our social media saw this post on Instagram and she sent a message to Stacey telling her about us and what we do.
“They arrived and said to us that they were in the area so they thought they would drop the baby clothes off.
“They are really very lovely and so normal. Joe was funny. Their car was packed and he opened the boot and things were falling out of it.”
Stacey had posted on Instagram earlier this week to say she was taking time out from social media to go on a road trip with Joe and the boys, Rex and her two sons from previous relationships.
She wrote: “There’s a no devices rule for EVERYONE including mummy so I’m coming off of social media and putting my phone in the cupboard to have a healthy detox for a few days!”
She’s no stranger to visits to the county, having previously been spotted in the Forest of Dean. In 2011 she opened the fete at Great Oaks Hospice in Coleford and the year before she helped at the Relay for Life in Lydney. Stacey’s grandparents lived near Coleford until her beloved grandad’s death in 2010.
Gloucestershire Bundles is a charity which helps families on low incomes and those who are fleeing domestic abuse situations. It aims to provide toys, books, clothes and all the essentials that children and expecting mothers need in times of crisis.
Based in Quedgley, the organisation is bursting at the seams and needs to find new premises.
Staff are hoping to stay in Gloucester and would welcome hearing from anyone who could help them find a new larger base.