Shooting Star Chase Vice President Simon Cowell, along with his partner Lauren Silverman, led a host of stars in treating sick children and their families to afternoon tea at The Dorchester in London on Friday 27 May.
The couple welcomed thirteen children with life-limiting conditions and their families to the hotel on Park Lane, and were joined by patrons and friends of the children’s hospice charity including Dame Joan Collins, David Walliams, Katie Price, Michael Ball and Samantha Bond.
Guests were treated to an exclusive afternoon tea in the Gold Room at the venue, a pick ‘n’ mix sweet cart, goody bags and Shooting Star Chaser cocktails. Families enjoyed chatting with celebrities, taking photographs and getting autographs.
Simon Cowell has hosted the Shooting Star Chase annual afternoon tea since 2012 and accepted an invitation to become Vice President of the charity in 2015. His partner, Lauren Silverman, also became patron.
Simon said: “It’s always a pleasure to support Shooting Star Chase at this event. We’ve been doing it for a few years now and I’ve met some very special people. It’s now like friends spending the afternoon together and creating good memories, and to help spread the word for the charity.”
Families attending the afternoon tea are cared for by the charity’s hospices in Hampton or Guildford, where they are supported from diagnosis to end of life and throughout bereavement with services which include short breaks, therapies, support groups and Hospice at Home.
Helen Sibley, Director of Care for Shooting Star Chase, said: “The afternoon tea is such a wonderful occasion for the children, parents and siblings we care for, and a real once in a lifetime experience.
“It’s fantastic to be able to offer our supported families an opportunity to take some time out together in such beautiful surroundings, to enjoy some treats and meet some famous faces.”
Karen Sugarman, Director of Fundraising, said: ““We are so grateful to Simon and Lauren for hosting and for making each supported family feel special – and to our Patrons and celebrity friends who joined us for the afternoon.”
