28th October 2013 DFS launches celebrity cushion collection in aid of BBC Children in Need
Denise van Outen; Alex Jones; Misha B and Diana Vickers put their design skills to the test for BBC Children in Need
Leading furniture retailer, DFS, today launches a cushion collection designed by some of the UK’s most loved TV personalities and talented musicians, including One Show host Alex Jones and TV and stage starlet, Denise van Outen.
The cushions, retailing at £10 each, will be available to buy exclusively online at the DFS eBay store from October 29th. All profits made, £4 from each cushion, will go to BBC Children in Need, helping to change children’s lives in communities across the UK.
The limited edition collection, produced here in the UK, comprises four beautiful designs. Also joining Denise and Alex in the challenge to sell the most cushions are X Factor stars Misha B and Diana Vickers. Each of the handcrafted cushions is based on a unique design lovingly created by each of the four celebrities.
Alex Jones comments on her specially designed cushion: “I’m so excited to be part of the collection and to design my very own cushion in support of BBC Children in Need because I’ve seen first-hand the difference its work makes to children in communities across the country. I’m actually decorating my own place at the moment so wanted to create something that I’d love to have in my home. I just love the cute bow ties and gorgeous dovetail grey!”
Designing the cushion for BBC Children in Need, Denise van Outen said: “I am honoured to be part of this fantastic collection and to be able to contribute in some way to the hugely important work that BBC Children in Need do. I have had great fun working with the DFS designers on my West End inspired design which reflects my love of all things theatre. I think the beautiful duck egg blue will work well in a country cottage just like mine, or a modern family home.”
The X Factor’s Misha B commented: “BBC Children in Need is an incredibly worthwhile cause, and one which I am privileged to support. The rock chick Blush bear in my cushion symbolises passion, strength and perseverance. I have a friend who suffers from a debilitating hip condition, although she struggled with this daily, she never let it get in the way of her dreams. She inspires me every day and I hope my cushion inspires others to reach for their dream”
Singer songwriter, Diana Vickers, commented: “I’m so proud to be supporting the amazing work that BBC Children in Need carries out every day in the UK and have had great fun thinking up the design. I’m a girly girl at heart and a hopeless romantic, so I love the patchwork prints and sayings. I can see my cushion in girl’s rooms across the country”.
Helen Normoyle, Chief Marketing Officer at DFS, said: “We are thrilled to launch our very first BBC Children in Need cushion collection. It is wonderful to join forces with Denise, Alex, Misha and Diana on this creative project to help such a worthy cause. The girls have all done an amazing job and the cushions will not only help to raise much needed funds for a great cause, they’ll also look great in living rooms and bedrooms across the country.”
The designer cushion collection is just one of many fundraising efforts by DFS as part of its endeavour to raise £1million for BBC Children in Need this year. Since the summer DFS staff from across the country have climbed the UK’s three highest peaks carrying full size two-seater sofas and tackled the white water rapids of the London 2012 Olympic course with a sofa mounted on a raft.
The heroic team of employees will also shortly set off on the Pedal for Pudsey challenge which will see them cycle a specially constructed rickshaw mounted with a two-seater sofa over 440 miles across the UK to help raise vital funds for BBC Children in Need’s 2013 appeal.
Browse the collection and buy your cushion at http://stores.ebay.co.uk/DFS-Furniture.
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For more information, please contact Abbi Oakley, Blue Rubicon, 020 7260 2700 or [email protected]
Notes to editors
About DFS DFS have been making furniture for 44 years. With every sofa handmade to order, and a design to suit every home, DFS are the nation’s sofa experts.
About BBC Children in Need The BBC Children in Need Appeal is a charity registered in England and Wales (802052) and Scotland (SC039557) whose aim is to make a positive change to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.
BBC Children in Need’s vision is that every child in the UK has a safe, happy and secure childhood and the chance to reach their potential. We will realise this vision by supporting, promoting and publicising work that addresses the challenges that children and young people face and work that builds their skills and resilience.
We are currently supporting 2,700 projects that are working with children facing a range of disadvantages for example, poverty and deprivation; children who have been the victims of abuse or neglect or disabled young people.