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CoronavirusThe Edinburghs

The Countess of Wessex volunteers at a charity shop

Sophie, Countess of Wessex

The Countess of Wessex has been helping out at a charity shop as she continues to support volunteers across a wide range of sectors during the coronavirus pandemic.

Sophie’s stint in the shop was also part of the Royal Family’s high profile support for Children’s Hospice Week in the UK.

The Countess spent time at the Weybridge shop run by Shooting Star Children’s Hospices where she helped volunteers sort and clean donations. The shop reopened earlier this week after closures brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.

Sophie is the patron of Shooting Star Children’s Hospices which provides care and support for babies, children and young people with life limiting conditions as well as helping their families.

Sophie, Countess of Wessex
The Countess of Wessex gets baking during one of several days volunteering this week
(Royal Family Twitter)

The royal stint at a charity shop came just days after Sophie volunteered at the support centre of another of her patronages. On June 24th, the Countess of Wessex spent the day making activity packs and baking scones for those supported by Disability Initiative which helps adults with physical disabilities and complex acquired brain injuries. She helped out at their Camberley Resource Centre where she also heard about how the charity is adapting to keep providing its services during the pandemic.

On June 23rd, Sophie spent time at the Operational Hub Support Centre of St. John Ambulance where she helped pack PPE for ambulance crews, first aiders and cleaning staff.

The Countess of Wessex has been volunteering and supporting charities and support services since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Her work has also seen her pack food parcels, cook for NHS staff and distribute support packs.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.