Harrods make it a “simples” Christmas for Shooting Star

It is the most sought-after present this Christmas and now Aleksandr Orlov the meerkat is set to raise a smile for Shooting Star's children and vital funds for our care services after Harrods decided to donate all of the popular toys to children’s charities.

The Aleksandr cuddly toy has been in huge demand since Harrods announced they would be exclusively producing just 5,000 of the toy. Harrods then decided to donate a number of Aleksandrs to Shooting Star after meeting some of our families. Katharine Witty, Group Director of Public Relations, said: ‘The Meerkat craze has gone global. We have had hundreds of thousands of inquiries, and with the limited number we had to sell, so many customers were going to be disappointed. The Chairman decided that the fairest solution was to donate them all to charity. We are sure that the children will appreciate this incredible gift, and we trust that our customers will support this generous gesture to those most in need.’

Aleksandr became a hit on the back of the Compare the Meerkat advert. His cuddly toy comes complete with his famous robe and scarf, squeaks when his belly is squeezed and even says his popular “simples” catchphrase.

After giving the cuddly toys to each of Shooting Star’s families, the charity plan to raise money by making the remaining few available through various auctions, beginning on Wednesday 9 December and ending at midday on Monday 21 December. 

• Telephone bids will be accepted by calling Shooting Star on 020 8481 8189.
• A silent auction will also be set up for personal callers to any of Shooting Star’s shops, located in Ashford, Hampton Hill, Shepperton, Teddington, Twickenham and Whitton. Where are our shops?
• And a limited number of the toys will also be made available on ebay, the online auction site.

Shooting Star’s Karen Sugarman said: ‘Aleksandr is the must-have present this Christmas so we’re extremely grateful to Harrods for this fantastic donation. Families we support will be really excited about Aleksandr’s arrival.’