Tea and tiaras with Dame Joan Collins at Shooting Star

Families were treated to a very special visit as Shooting Star Children’s Hospices welcomed global superstar Dame Joan Collins to Shooting Star House in Hampton.

Dame Joan, who was joined by husband Percy Gibson and Patron Alison Davis, took time to meet and chat with families, posed for photos, enjoyed some afternoon tea and got involved in some arts and crafts, including tiara making.

Henry Tufton, Music Therapist at Shooting Star, also treated everyone to a piano rendition of Fly Me to the Moon, one of Dame Joan’s favourite songs chosen when she appeared on Desert Island Disc’s.

As a Vice-President of the charity, Dame Joan has been a stalwart supporter of Shooting Star since 2003, generously giving her time visiting families at Christopher’s and Shooting Star House; donating money-can’t-buy auction items at the charity’s high-profile events as well as donating designer clothes and accessories to some of charity’s boutique shops.

“I am delighted to be part of such a special charity and so happy to be here at Shooting Star House to meet the wonderful team and families,” Dame Joan Collins said.

Karen Sugarman, Executive Vice-President of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices said, “It’s always a pleasure to welcome Dame Joan, Percy and Alison.  For the last 21 years they have remained by our side and have all made such a significant difference to our work. They loved spending time chatting to the families and this is something that means so very much to them and we cannot thank them enough for all they have done and continue to do for the charity.”