ANTIQUES proved to be everyone’s cup of tea when a celebrity expert dropped in to help raise funds for charity.
BBC Antiques Road Trip presenter David Harper joined guests at St T’s Superstore, Darlington, which had been transformed for the day into a festival of collectables.
Visitors to the McMullen Road store were greeted with a glass of fizz on arrival, before sitting down to a full afternoon tea, as David gave them an insight into the world of TV, antiques and valuations.
More than £1,000 was raised for St Teresa’s Hospice, which provides care for the people of Darlington, South Durham and North Yorkshire.
Day, in-patient and community hospice services cost the charity around £3m each year to maintain, funded by public donations and proceeds from the movement’s shops around the region.
St Teresa’s Hospice chief executive Jane Bradshaw said: “Visit on any normal day and our staff and volunteers will be busy selling all manner of goods. Today it is all about antiques and afternoon teas we have prepared ourselves.
“St Teresa’s really does need and value your help. We were founded 33 years ago to help the community and it started as a volunteer-run service. Today the hospice provides expert holistic care.
“But costs are going up all the time and as the country slips into the doldrums fundraising is becoming harder by the day. So we hope as many people as possible will visit our stores, bag themselves a bargain and help aid our cause.
“I would like to express my gratitude to David for donating his time and considerable expertise, in support of his local hospice to help our cause. He is a good friend and great supporter.”
David said: “The superstore looked incredible, every bit the auction house and I was delighted to help such a great cause.”