A woman who donated her designer wedding dress to St Giles Hospice to thank them for their care of her grandmother is calling on brides to visit the charity’s bridal boutique in Sutton Coldfield.

 

As this year’s wedding season gets underway and brides-to-be start visiting wedding fairs and shopping for dresses and accessories, Louise Forrester, aged 38, is encouraging brides to drop in or make an appointment to check out the dresses on offer at the specialist boutique.

 

Louise first heard about the St Giles Hospice Bridal Boutique, based in Mere Green, in an Instagram post, and decided that she wanted to donate her £2,500 Ian Stuart dress to the charity.

 

Her gift followed the end-of-life care her grandma Jennifer Butler received at St Giles Hospice in Walsall. Mrs Butler, 72, who lived in Bloxwich and who was being treated for lung and brain cancer, went into the hospice for a week before her death in September 2018.

 

Louise, from Perton, said: “I was moving house and decided that I wanted to do something positive with my wedding dress - which I had packed away right after my wedding - so I was more than happy to donate it to St Giles Hospice as I knew it would be going to a really good cause.

 

“My Grandma received amazing care at St Giles and the staff were all so supportive to her and all the family, even after she had passed away. You could not fault the care she received and we are all so grateful.

 

“When I told my family I was thinking of donating the dress to St Giles everybody was pleased that it was going to support something so worthwhile, and we wanted it to be a lovely wedding dress that could help create a special day for someone who might not otherwise be able to afford one,” added Louise.

 

The bridal boutique has a selection of more than 165 gowns, featuring new and sample dresses alongside pre-loved gowns. Many of the dresses are made by popular designers including Mark Lesley, Alfred Angelo, Ian Stuart and Maggi Sottero.

 

The boutique features dresses for all budgets, with simple gowns starting at just £75 and going up to £500 for the most exclusive designs. Bridesmaid and prom dresses are also available at around £30.

 

St Giles Hospice Head of Retail Lynwen Truesdale said she was extremely grateful to Louise for donating her beautiful dress to the St Giles Hospice Bridal Boutique.

 

She added: “We really want to thank Louise for her support and also to everybody who gifts us their wedding dresses and accessories. We are also grateful to everyone who shops with us and are delighted when we can help them feel special on their big day.

 

“Our boutique also has a stunning range of mother-of-the-bride outfits, eveningwear, shoes, jewellery and accessories - so bring your friends and family along as we have something for everybody.

 

“All of our stock is high-quality and great value with proceeds going directly to support the vital work of St Giles Hospice.”

 

For more information about the St Giles Hospice Bridal Boutique visit www.stgileshospice.com/bridal-boutique/ or book your free private appointment by calling 07753 728856 or by emailing bridal@stgileshospiceshops.org.uk