The Countess of Wessex visited the Shooting Star Children’s Hospices charity shop in Hampton yesterday, to help the shop prepare for Christmas. Sophie also joined her husband in some food preparation for a local organisation.
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Sophie on her way to the charity shop in Hampton
Wearing a black gilet with a festive reindeer jumper underneath, the Countess stopped to give Blitz the Border Collie a fuss before entering the shop.
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The Countess of Wessex met Blitz the Border Collie
Sophie heard about the impact of the pandemic on the hospice’s services and the shop’s trade. Like many organisations, charities have suffered a huge loss in income not only through donations but through shops being closed.
Adhering to government guidelines, the Royal donned a floral face mask whilst inside the shop.
The Countess of Wessex got stuck into the many tasks, where she filled shelves and organised rails of clothes to be sold. The mother-of-two joined fellow volunteers in creating a festive window display. She stepped outside to view the display.
The Countess of Wessex creates a window display at Shooting Star (@RoyalFamily)
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Sophie fills the shelves at the charity shop
Karen Sugarman MBE, Executive Vice-President of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, said of the visit: “Her Royal Highness radiates such genuine kindness. That kindness shows in everything she does and it’s those little personal touches that make the difference.”
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Sophie has been Patron of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices since 2002, when she officially opened the charities’ Guildford hospice, Christopher’s. Shooting Star Children’s Hospices is a charity caring for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions and their families.
The Countess of Wessex has had a busy week; she was seen alongside her husband, The Earl of Wessex, at FoodWise, within the Moorcroft Community Centre on
The Earl and Countess of Wessex help prepare meals with FoodWise (@RoyalFamily)
The royal couple chopped vegetables and assisted volunteers in preparing meals, which will be delivered to local families in Woking and Guildford. The charity, FoodWise, offers budget cooking classes to teach families to cook healthy. They changed their mission and have been offering food to families in need during the pandemic.
The couple were active during the lockdown months, with the Countess preparing food parcels for keyworkers. The Wessex family recently went litter picking on the beach.
The Earl and Countess of Wessex also stepped out with other senior members of the Royal Family – making three events for Sophie in one day – to conclude the Cambridges’ #RoyalTrainTour at Windsor Castle. They thanked local key workers and volunteers and heard a special performance of Christmas carols from The Salvation Army.
William and Kate end #RoyalTrainTour at Windsor reuniting with Queen to thank key workers
