The UK’s largest HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust is celebrating having raised £1,000,000 from their charity shop. Celebrities including Kylie Minogue and Stephen Fry have helped the charity mark the milestone by donating items to the shop.
Boutique in Pimlico has been raising much needed funds for Terrence Higgins Trust for almost two decades, helping fund the charity’s work to fight HIV discrimination and support people living with HIV. Today Terrence Higgins Trust are working towards the ambitious goal of ending new HIV cases by 2030 – and every pound raised by Boutique brings the charity closer to making this life-changing goal a reality. With Mary Portas having described Boutique as '…one of her most loved charity shops', and with Time Out having labelled it one of London’s best, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular.
Kylie Minogue has donated a limited edition watch as well as a signed print of her ‘Step Back In Time’ album artwork. Terrence Higgins Trust patron Stephen Fry donated a collection of his ties, which are known to be his 'greatest clothing companion.'
Terrence Higgins Trust hosted a party to mark the occasion at the West London charity shop with influencers, including the cast of BBC Three’s ‘I Kissed A Boy’, shop volunteers and the charity’s Chief Executive, Richard Angell, who presented Boutique with a commemorative plaque to celebrate their £1 million fundraising milestone.
Richard Angell, Chief Executive at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: 'Terrence Higgins Trust has the best supporters – your generous donations and avid shopping at our one charity shop Boutique has raised £1 million for HIV since doors opened in 2008. What an important milestone and an incredible reminder than every pre-love good and unwanted gift donated adds up to game changing amount of money in the fight to end new HIV cases and support people living with HIV. Thank you.
'As we endeavour to be the first country to end the HIV epidemic, all before 2030, it is all hands to the pumps as we find the undiagnosed and support those diagnosed to live well with the virus. We will not rest until this ambitious goal is achieved, we hope you won’t too. Boutique is just one of ways you can support our work and is always open to received donation and always worth of a browse – I hope to see you in the shop sometime soon.'
