Broadcaster, writer and host of ‘Happy Place’ podcast Fearne Cotton has donated a selection of pre-loved items to Mind’s online Christmas auction. Fearne’s items, which includes dresses designed by Mary Benson and Self Portrait (as seen on Fearne in above photos), are available on Mind’s eBay shop from today (1 December) at 10am until 10 December at 10am.

As a red carpet regular, Fearne is renowned for her quirky, vintage style and has handpicked ten of her favourite items to auction to help raise funds for Mind through its online shop. The Mind Ambassador is also keen to raise awareness of Mind’s high street charity shops to encourage the public to visit them once they reopen in the run up to Christmas. All 166 Mind charity shops were forced to close as a result of lockdowns at a crucial time when many were entering their busiest period of the year, with the charity predicting a loss of around £1.5million in potential sales for November.

The profit raised from sales of goods donated to Mind’s shops goes directly to helping fund vital support services to make sure anyone with a mental health problem has somewhere to turn, through Mind’s information and support services. The charity has recently warned of a 'second pandemic’ of mental health problems with calls to its Infoline doubling in October, reaching up to 500 calls a day. Starting bids on Fearne’s items will range from £50 to £250, and every £100 raised could help fund one of Mind’s Infoline call advisers for a day.

Fearne said:

“I’m so happy to be supporting Mind’s first ever Christmas auction, and really hope the pieces I’ve chosen inspire people to check out the online shop and get bidding if they can.

“I know that the closure of Mind’s shops this year, due to the pandemic, has made it really hard for the charity to raise the money needed to provide information and services to millions of people, and at a time when more of us are struggling with our mental health. I’m therefore really keen to help raise funds and awareness of Mind’s online shop, but also encourage everyone to visit a Mind shop when they reopen to donate, shop or volunteer.’’

Fearne has been a dedicated Mind Ambassador since 2017, giving up her time to support a number of Mind’s campaigns and events, as well as providing opportunities for Mind to highlight its work and fundraise through her Happy Place Festivals and recent collaboration with exercise brand Sweaty Betty.

Andrew Vale, Managing Director of Mind Retail, said: 

“I want to thank Fearne for supporting Mind this Christmas and kindly donating her pre-loved items. It’s a fantastic chance to get your hands on some designer garments and help a great cause at the same time, supporting the one in four of us who experience a mental health problem each year.

“Despite the job retention scheme and the tireless efforts of Mind Retail staff and volunteers, we’re unfortunately in a difficult financial situation. This means we might not be able to support everyone who needs us this winter. We’re doing everything we can, now we need you to do everything you can, by shopping in Mind stores or online, in the final run up to Christmas.”

Mind is asking you to support them in three simple ways:
• Pick up a bargain: This can be via Fearne’s Christmas auction, or our eBay or online store for Christmas cards. You could also visit Mind’s shops in person when they reopen on 2 December. The shops add 100s of new items of stock to the shelves every day so pop in regularly to be the first to see the latest everyday bargains or retro one-offs. Find your local shop here.
• Drop in and donate: Donating items to Mind charity shops can be as good as making monetary donations as each bag donated can have a cash equivalent of £30 once turned into saleable stock. Don’t forget to Gift Aid your donation, as this increases the value of your donation by 25 per cent, with no cost to yourself.
• Support our Christmas Appeal: Mind relies on donations from generous supporters to keep providing their services. Find out more and donate here.

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