Having donated jewellery for 2 years now to the Save the Children ‘living and giving’ stores championed by Mary Portas, I was really thrilled and touched to be asked to the opening of the third London store on parson’s green last night.  Having always perceived this charity as a big, slightly faceless operation, doing good, I have been bowled over by the individual attention, care and professionality of all those I have dealt with. 

First-off my daughter was really keen to come and it looked for a while that she wouldn’t be able to squeeze onto my invite as numbers were strictly limited.  The team instead offered her the chance to come and do some work experience as a ‘volunteer’ in any of the living and giving shops – how cool was that?  She’s booked up now to do it in the October half term and I’d urge anyone interested to follow suit.  You can do just a day, or half a one and they want her to write a blog describing the experience!  Lucky girl.  What a brilliant way to get people involved.

The Fulham shop is known as the ‘reading room’ and worth a visit for the merchandising & interiors alone, but it is a treasure trove of books, clothes, jewellery and prints (I bought a signed Rob Ryan/Carol Ann Duffy book for £5).  I was thrilled to see one of my necklaces next to a pair of vintage Laboutins – check out our facebook page for a pic. 

 Save the Children Shop opens in Fulham

We had a cool DJ, a string bean tall magician adding some wonder, hand massages to relax with in the back garden, and a visit and inspiring talk by Mary herself who is tall, slim, warm & effusive.  She wove her own magic. They had listed all the contributers to the store on the back wall, and you can just make out my name above Mary’s head (if you’ve got a microscope..!).

We both had a great time, but best of all left feeling warm and good about the world.  Not a bad result for them and very inspiring.