Over �22,000 raised for St Joseph’s Hospice, raising money for the terminally ill

Former EastEnders actress and “Carry On” star, Barbara Windsor, opened Hackney’s St Joseph’s Hospice annual Christmas bazaar on Saturday (November 20).

The 73-year-old, who quit her role as landlady of the Queen Vic in the TV soap earlier this year, spent time meeting and chatting to patients, volunteers and some of the hundreds of customers attending.

It was a Hackney homecoming for “Babs”, who was born in Shoreditch and attended Our Lady of St Joseph’s School in Stamford Hill, before achieving showbiz success.

The fundraising event raised a record breaking �22,300 for the hospice in Mare Street, which cares for more than 1,000 people each year with terminal illness.

Barbara, who is a long-term supporter of the hospice, having previously opened its summer fete, said: “It was lovely to get back to my roots and help the wonderful St Josephs Hospice again, and be reminded of the fantastic and caring job that is done there.

“I was thrilled and impressed to see the new wing, and I am proud I was asked to open the gates to start the day off.

“Everyone there on the day was so much fun, and it was a delight to be a part of such a worthwhile cause.”

Michael Kerin, St Joseph’s chief executive said: “Barbara worked incredibly hard and helped make this a record-breaking event, and we’re incredibly grateful for all her support.”

Among the attractions were bric-a-brac stalls, a Santa’s grotto, musical entertainment from the Nostalgia Steel Band and Music for People and a Hackney Gazette stall.