In the spirit of the fundraiser for the Celia Hammond Animal Trust (CHAT) stars including Dame Joanna Lumley, Sir Rod Stewart, Dame Zandra Rhodes, Ruth Langsford and Dame Joan Collins came along with a teddy bear - from childhood, gifted or borrowed - for a very special afternoon picnic.
Former model Celia, who established her charity in 1986 to provide a rescue and rehoming service for abandoned cats (and a few dogs), as well as emergency surgery for those who can't afford vet fees, was overwhelmed by the support in the room and by the staggering £250,000 that was raised.
"I'm incredibly touched that people think enough of us to come along and see what's going on," she told HELLO!, which was invited as media partner to exclusively cover the event, organised by Mark Aldridge, patron of the Prince's Foundation. "I'm so excited about this as we've never had anything like it. We just struggle along."
Taking place in the grand, mirrored room, which had been dressed with teddy bears handmade by traditional soft-toy maker Merrythought, it was a chance for people to catch up - including two of Celia's long-standing friends, Dame Joanna and Sir Rod. The pair also happened to be old flames, having dated briefly in 1973.
"She was my posh girlfriend," said Rod. "We got on well, didn't we, Joanna?" he asked the actress and campaigner, who nodded in agreement. "It was lovely."
The singer had with him a small teddy wearing his beloved Celtic football team colours that had been thrown on stage once during a performance. "We can call him Joanna today," he joked, when asked the bear's name.
Rod's friendship with Celia goes back to the 1960s, when she was the girlfriend of his bandmate Jeff Beck, the late guitarist. "Me and Ronnie [Wood] were so jealous," he joked.
Denne historien er fra June 26, 2023-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
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Denne historien er fra June 26, 2023-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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AS 'THE DIPLOMAT RETURNS KERI RUSSELL
ON HAVING FUN WITH RUFUS SEWELL, MEETING THE U.S. AMBASSADOR AND BEING STRAPPED TO TOM CRUISE
FROM HIS CHALLENGING CHILDHOOD TO HOLLYWOOD'S HOT LIST BARRY KEOGHAN
ON BEING DRAWN TO STRONG WOMEN AND ENJOYING LIFE WITH HIS LITTLE BOY
AS 'THE SUBSTANCE' IS RELEASED MARGARET QUALLEY
ON MAKING THE LEAP FROM BALLET TO HOLLYWOOD
BUSY MUM-TO-BE AND DUTIFUL DAUGHTER PRINCESS BEATRICE
TEAMS UP WITH SISTER PRINCESS EUGENIE TO SUPPORT THEIR FATHER IN HIS EXILE FROM ROYAL LIFE
CHAMPIONING WOMEN'S HEALTH THE DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH
HONOURS 60 YEARS OF GROUNDBREAKING CHARITY
AS ONE DIRECTION REUNITE TO BID FAREWELL TO FORMER BANDMATE LIAM PAYNE
HUGS AND TEARS AS MOURNING FRIENDS AND FAMILY SAY GOODBYE
CELEBRATING HER GAME-CHANGING NEW CONCEALER VICTORIA'S SECRETS
THE DESIGNER SHARES HER TOP SKINCARE TIPS AND REVEALS WHICH PRODUCTS HARPER LOVES TO STEAL
CHANNELLING MARY POPPINS TO CHAMPION LITERACY THE QUEEN
JOINS CELEBRITIES AND BEST-SELLING AUTHORS TO APPLAUD YOUNG WRITERS' 'ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT WORK'
CONTINUING A FESTIVE TRADITION - WITH A TINY NEW TREAT TO DELIGHT VISITORS WINDSOR CASTLE AT CHRISTMAS
STAFF DECK THE HALLS - AND, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE ROYAL DOLLS' HOUSE
SNAPPING UP RECORD-BREAKING £60M MANSION IN MIAMI THE BECKHAMS
WE GO INSIDE THEIR BILLION-DOLLAR LIFESTYLE AS THE FAMILY PREPARE TO EXPAND THEIR BRAND