Singer and actress Clare Grogan donates shoes and book to city shop

IT IS a chance to walk in the footsteps of a celebrity – by donning a pair of her old shoes.

• Actress and presenter Clare Grogan

Actress and singer Clare Grogan made a special visit to a city charity shop yesterday to donate a pair of designer sandals she wore on a holiday to Barbados years ago.

But the visit was only made possible by a quick-thinking 15-year-old who last week, on a work experience placement, decided to e-mail celebrities across the country to ask them to support the new Save the Children store in Stockbridge.

The Gregory's Girl star said: "I was delighted to help – it's all for such a good cause."

Ms Grogan – who lives in London with her husband and daughter – replied to the e-mail from Jo Casson, a student at North Berwick High School, explaining she would be in Edinburgh to visit family and would be happy to make a trip to the shop as part of her busy schedule.

Armed with the designer Miu Miu heeled sandals – which she said were bought but only worn once – she also handed over a signed copy of her children's book Tallulah and the Teenstars as well as agreeing to post another three designer items for sale in the shop, endorsed by retail guru Mary Portas.

The donations will include a Marni top bought in New York for 300, and a Miu Miu dress originally costing 1,200.

Ms Grogan said: "This was actually quite difficult for me as, I must admit, I am a bit of a hoarder.

"I had to tell myself to let them go. The clothes were all bought for specific events and I hope whoever buys them really enjoys them."

The celebrity – who was formerly the lead singer of the band Altered Images – revealed her passion for charity shops stems from her teenage years when she would scour them for vintage finds.

Aged 18, she bought a 1950s wedding dress to wear on a night out with friends and even made a special trip to San Francisco to visit its second-hand stores.

She also used to volunteer in the Mind charity shop in Finsbury, London, during the 1990s when she was staring in the BBC's EastEnders.

The Stockbridge store – Mary's Living and Giving Shop – opened at the end of last year, offering designer clothes at charity shop prices.

Other celebrities to have donated items include Jamie Oliver, Lauren Laverne, Meg Matthews and Carol Smillie.

Jo said she was "ecstatic" Ms Grogan had taken up her offer of supporting the charity shop.

She said: "I just thought that Clare Grogan would be a perfect person to ask, so I found her agent's e-mail address and made contact.

"It's quite surreal that she actually replied. It's great for the shop and I'm so pleased."

The student also made contact with agents for actor David Tennant and the boy-band Take That, whose spokesman said they would be approached about offering their support.