# Hospice cuts its ties with celebrity patron - Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2004/08/24/hospice-cuts-its-ties-celebrity-patron/ - Published: 2004-08-24T23:00:00+01:00 - Author: Howard Lake A Stoke-on-Trent hospice has severed its links with TV presenter Anthea Turner because, it claims, she failed to turn up at two charity events. Karen Rose, head of fundraising at the Douglas Macmillan hospice told BBC Radio Stoke that the former Blue Peter presenter had not attended their Christmas appeal event or their Spring launch, and had not been able to suggest alternative dates. She added: “she has pulled out of a number of events that have taken a great deal of time to set up and people have actually bought tickets to attend these events to see or hear Anthea.” ## Advertisement [⌊Posthub advert. You create the campaign. We'll handle the postal journey. Get started at post-hub.co.uk.⌉](https://fundraising.co.uk/ads/posthub-20261007-300x250/) Ms Turner was appointed patron in October 2003. However, the hospice says it has not heard from her for five months. She has been replaced as patron by two local celebrities, singer Denise Leigh who won the Operatunity talent contest on Channel 4 in 2003, and chinaware business leader Lord Wedgewood. Ms Turner’s spokesperson explained that her TV work takes precedence over her charity work. Ms Turner is continuing her support of some charities: for example, in July 2004 she and husband Grant Bovey raised £100,000 from an event at their home for skin disease charity Debra, and children’s hospice Chase. www.dmhospice.org.uk * **[Learning how to use celebrities effectively](https://fundraising.co.uk/2004/10/30/learning-how-use-celebrities-effectively/)**( 30 October 2004) * **[Comedy DVD to raise funds for Unicef's Tsunami appeal](https://fundraising.co.uk/2005/02/07/comedy-dvd-raise-funds-unicef039s-tsunami-appeal/)**( 7 February 2005) * **[Weatherman takes to the sky for epilepsy charity](https://fundraising.co.uk/2005/07/06/weatherman-takes-sky-epilepsy-charity/)**( 6 July 2005)