Patrons

HRH The Countess of Wessex

Royal Patron

The Countess officially opened our Guildford hospice, Christopher’s, in 2002 and continues to support Shooting Star Children’s Hospices with regular visits to both hospices and hosting major fundraising events.

Simon Cowell

Vice-President

Simon Cowell was appointed Vice-President in May 2015 and has been supporting the charity since 2003. Simon makes regular visits to both hospices and enjoys time chatting with the children and young people. Every year, Simon kindly hosts a special Afternoon Tea to raise funds for the charity and welcome supported families, whilst encouraging a number of high-profile celebrities to join him in making it a very special day. Simon also hosts a special day at the X Factor rehearsals where children from both hospices are able to spend the day at the studios, chatting to Simon, who introduces them to his fellow Judges.

Simon together with his partner Lauren Silverman (Patron of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices) also attends the annual Shooting Star Children’s Hospices Ball, where he has helped create some amazing auction prizes to raise much needed funds. In 2013 the staff at Shooting Star House gave Simon a surprise with our very own Britain’s Got Talent, with Simon as a judge. The red buzzer was very busy that day! Simon’s company Syco Entertainment, together with Sony Music chose Shooting Star Children’s Hospices as their Charity of the Year for 2015.

Tony Hadley

Vice-President

Tony Hadley is Vice-President of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices. He has performed with his band and his swing band at some of the charity’s most high-profile events, including at a Buckingham Palace reception, at The Shooting Star Children’s Hospices Ball and at an exclusive annual tea hosted by Simon Cowell.

Tony also duetted with Patron Michael Ball for rendition of ‘Gold’ at the Prince of Wales Theatre in aid of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices. In 2005 Tony, alongside fellow band mate John Keeble, won £64,000 on ‘Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’.

Dame Joan Collins DBE

Vice-President

International superstar Dame Joan Collins has hosted many glittering events for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices including Christmas with Joan Collins at The Dorchester and has appeared on Deal or No Deal, winning £15,000 for the charity.

Joan also co-hosted a tea every year at Harrods for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices families.

In 2013, Joan officially opened our new boutique charity shop in Weybridge, donating fabulous clothes and accessories from her own designer wardrobe, as well as donating proceeds from her star-studded London book launch. She has since also officially opened our Fulham shop and Cobham shop, each time donating items from her personal wardrobe.

Tim Oliver

Vice-President

Vice-President Tim Oliver, has donated a significant amount of his time to the charity over the last 15 years. He was a member of the Board of Trustees from 2004 to 2014, including Chair of Trustees of The Shooting Star Children’s Hospice.

Tim and his wife Debi have also supported Shooting Star Children’s Hospices through their fantastic fundraising efforts including taking on the personal challenges of the London Marathon, Surrey Half Marathon, Ride London 100 and the Hospice2Hospice Bike Ride, raising significant funds in support of our re-brand to drive innovation and creativity.

Tim’s dedication extends to involving his colleagues and contacts from across the Parabis Group which he established in 2000, where he is now Deputy Chairman and Senior Partner of Plexus Law, a top 30 Law Firm.

Michael and Sarah More-Molyneux

Vice-President & Patron

Vice-President Michael More-Molyneux has been involved in the charity since the very beginning. As owners of the Loseley Estate, the More-Molyneux family generously made their land available for the build of Christopher’s hospice, which is named in memory of their son Christopher.

Along with his wife Sarah, a Patron of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, the More-Molyneux’s have tirelessly supported the charity, volunteering and fundraising for over ten years. They have introduced many high-profile figures to the charity bringing vital support, as well as hosting events including The Loseley, a 10k run and walk on their estate.

Michael has also ran the London Marathon many times, raising thousands of pounds.

Julia Lever MBE

Vice-President

Julia Lever is the Founder of CHASE.

Julia set up the charity in 1991 after reading an article in a national newspaper about a hospice in Birmingham. After contacting the hospice and arranging a visit, Julia was determined to start a children’s hospice in the South East.

Julia was appointed an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list in 2011 and with her husband Peter, continues to support the families of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

Kate Turner MBE

Vice-President

Kate founded The Shooting Star Trust in 1995 overseeing the build of Shooting Star House Children’s Hospice, which opened in August 2005. She was awarded an MBE in 2007.

Michael Ball OBE

Patron

Michael Ball OBE has brought the world of music and stage to the charity with three star-studded concerts, raising money for vital transportation at both hospices to help children and teenagers enjoy days out.

The charity benefited from a special evening at Michael’s award-winning ‘Sweeney Todd’, as well as winning £50,000 on ‘Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ and £6,600 on ‘Celebrity Catchphrase’.

Samantha Bond

Patron

Samantha Bond has been Patron of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices for 12 years. Best known as ‘Miss Moneypenny’ to Pierce Brosnan’s 007, and from TV’s Outnumbered and Downton Abbey, Samantha appeared on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, alongside designer gardener Diamuid Gavin and officially opened our Twickenham Shop.

Sir Vincent Cable

Patron

Sir Vince Cable spearheaded a campaign across the Shooting Star Children’s Hospices retail chain to encourage volunteers to give a helping hand, even lending a hand at our Teddington shop himself.

Sir Vince also kindly donated the glass sculpture in the Shooting Star House memory garden in memory of his late wife Olympia.

Philip Glenister

Patron

Philip Glenister has hosted two celebrity golf events at the prestigious Wentworth Club and represented the charity in the Celebrity Pro-Am at the 2013 BMW PGA Championship, the flagship European Tour event which, in 2013, was in aid of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

Philip also helped host Michael Ball’s star-studded West End concert, as well as raising funds by auctioning a set visit to the iconic ‘Ashes to Ashes’.

Laurence and Jackie Llewelyn-Bowen

Patrons

Laurence and Jackie Llewelyn-Bowen have been supporters for many years.

In January 2006, Laurence and his wife Jackie won £500,000 on behalf of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices in a special Celebrity Valentine’s Day edition of ‘Who Wants to be a Millionaire’.

This actual show won a National TV Award, major media attention and to date are the highest winning celebrities in the programme’s history,  Laurence and Jackie attend many of the charity’s high-profile events, giving their stunning Cornwall and Cotswolds homes as auction prizes.

Theo Paphitis

Patron

Theo Paphitis has been a fantastic support through his business chain Ryman and donated gifts from his Red Letter Day collection, for special treats and occasions for the charity, as well as attended high-profile events.

Sir Cliff Richard OBE

Patron

Sir Cliff Richard performed the ‘Topping Out’ ceremony at Shooting Star House in 2004. Recently Sir Cliff performed a rendition of his hit ‘Summer Holiday’ at our Hampton Hospice, with a sing-a-long for the children, parents and grandparents.

Lauren Silverman

Patron

Lauren Silverman was appointed Patron of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices in May 2015. Lauren has enjoyed hospice visits meeting children and families and enjoys welcoming the families to our special Afternoon Tea hosted by Lauren’s partner Simon Cowell, Vice President of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

Lauren also hosts tables at The Shooting Star Children’s Hospices Ball, helping to encourage donations on the evening by securing wonderful auction prizes. Lauren’s passion and commitment to the charity has encouraged many special moments and times for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

Phillip Schofield

Patron

Phillip Schofield has attended many Shooting Star Children’s Hospices events to meet families supported by the charity, as well as visiting our Guildford hospice.