Davina McCall, Paloma Faith, Zoe Ball and Gemma Atherton have donated handbags for the launch event of Handbags For Hospices, which will auction off the arm candy in February 2013 to raise money for the Martlets Hospice in Hove.

The brainchild of Abigail Bowen, the idea for Handbags For Hospices came about after the Brightonion’s father Michael was cared for by the Hospice in 2007.

“Their services are free when you need them and yet they receive less than a third of their funding from government,” Abigail explained. “I wanted to create a fun event to help raise money that appealed to myself and friends. We had a pilot in Feb 2012 which was successful beyond my wildest dreams and soon I realised that the concept had mass appeal.”

Abigail and friend Lucy Wilkes from Lewes have already collected a number of designer bags, including Mulberry, Gucci and vintage gems, from celebrities and other stylish local ladies and are always on the look out for more top quality donations.

Hove resident Zoe Ball spoke of her motivation to donate: “I’ve got family and friends who have been cared for at The Martlets Hospice so it’s a real pleasure that I can give something back to show my support.”

The launch of Handbags for Hospices will take place at Pub du Vin Ballroom, Brighton on 28 February 2013. Guests at the event will be able to bid on the best of the donated bags during a silent auction, with any remaining bags sent on to the next event or donated directly to the Martlets to sell in their shops.

“Between now and then the hunt is on for all those unwanted bags that can be auctioned off and sent to new loving homes,” Abigail added. “So dig out those bags languishing in the back of your wardrobe and help raise much needed cash for this great cause.”

To donate a bag or for more information on the event, e-mail info@handbagsforhospices.com.