Famous faces have come out in force to donate their rare items to help children and adults with terminal illnesses.
Actress Joanna Lumley is among the stars urging the public to join her in supporting Luton-based Keech Hospice Care’s #DeclutterForKeech initiative by handing good quality items in to its charity shops.
The charity – whose 32 shops include outlets in Sandy, Hitchin and Stevenage – says it has lost the equivalent of a nurse’s care from now until next February due to a rise in unsaleable items being donated.
“I’m encouraging everyone to de-clutter for Keech,” said Joanna. “I’ve done it and it makes me feel fabulous.
“I’ve given a van full of furniture, china and paintings. Some bits I still love and adore but would much rather they went to help the hospice, and some things I think might be quite fun.
“So, I’m advising you to de-clutter for Keech. You know it makes sense, sweeties.”
Among the items donated by the former Bond girl are a rare photograph of the Beatles by the late Linda McCartney, and artist Warren Madill’s take on Diego Velázquez’s painting Rokeby Venus – commissioned for the National Treasures Collection in 2003, and featuring Joanna Lumley posing naked as her Absolutely Fabulous character Patsy Stone.
Others who have supported the campaign with a good clear-out include Dame Maggie Smith, comedians Matt Lucas and Jo Brand, TV presenter Graham Norton, Doctor Who’s Peter Capaldi and Hollywood actor Colin Salmon.
Keech Hospice Care’s Angela Burgess said that following Joanna’s advice and decluttering could make a life-changing difference.
She said: “Most of us have kitchen cupboards we’ve been meaning to clear out, clothes in our wardrobe we’ll never wear again and attics full of items we won’t use. By handing it in to our charity shops you can help more children and adults at a time in their lives when they need it the most.
“Please hand in and help out so we can turn your great clutter into great care, and raise the £5.6million we need every year as a charity to survive.”
A selection of the celebrities’ donated clutter, including Joanna Lumley’s rare pictures, will be available to bid on at keech.org.uk/ebay until Friday, June 16.
People should donate their quality clutter to any Keech Hospice Care charity shop, the hospice itself in Luton’s Great Bramingham Lane, or arrange for furniture to be collected free or charge by calling 0800 032 3440.
To find out more see keech.org.uk/declutter.
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