Skating star donates dresses to children’s charity

Jayne Torvill has donated 30 dresses to the Demelza hospice charity for children

Skating legend Jayne Torvill has donated 30 dresses she wore on the popular Dancing on Ice television show to help sick children.

The outfits will be on sale at Demelza charity shops in Kent and East Sussex on Saturday.

The former Olympic gold medallist is an ambassador for the charity which supports children with serious or life-limiting conditions.

She said the sale would "raise funds for the children and their families supported by this amazing charity".

Jayne Torvill, who won ice dancing gold at the 1984 Winter Olympics with partner Christopher Dean, has supported Demelza for over 20 years.

The dresses will be on sale from midday at the charity's stores in Rochester, Maidstone, Sevenoaks, and Orpington, in Kent, and in Hailsham, East Sussex, where she will be appearing to launch the event.

She said: "I’m delighted the dresses will be put to good use and raise awareness of the work the charity does across Kent and East Sussex.”

Ms Torvill said the sale will help raise funds for children and their families

A Demelza spokesperson said: "The dresses range from designer through to high street brands and come in a myriad of colours and lengths, perfect for prom, weddings and special occasions."

Tim Chichester, manager of the charity's store in Hailsham, said: "Demelza is almost entirely dependent on the generosity of its supporters to provide the funds that keep its services going.

"So a huge thanks goes to Jayne for this generous donation and the opportunity for one of our supporters to buy a piece of TV history."