By Leicester Mercury | Posted: 12 November, 2015
LOROS Hospice received an extra special visit from Hollyoaks star Charlie Clapham today.
The actor, who plays Freddie Roscoe in the Channel 4 programme, spent the whole day meeting patients, families and members of staff at the Groby Road Hospice ahead of a fundraising event he will be holding at the weekend.
"It was such a heart-warming experience," said 24-year-old Charlie, who grew up in Humberstone, Leicester.
"It's great knowing that somewhere like LOROS exists and it doesn't just exist, it exists in my hometown and that makes me very proud.
"People are going through some really unfortunate times but being at LOROS makes those times just that bit brighter."
As well as stopping for photos with LOROS staff, Charlie spent time in day therapy, and visited patients on the ward.
He added: "Everyone kept on saying thank-you to me for coming in but it's me that should be thanking them, for making me feel so welcome.
"The patients were absolutely fantastic. Some of the people at LOROS are facing the hardest battles, yet they are still so relaxed, smiling and joking."
His visit came days before a piercing day he is hosting to raise money for the charity on Sunday, at Kazbah, Leicester, the piercing studio his family own.
"I see the way the staff at LOROS face the challenge of raising £4.5million a year and I want to be part of that, it's more than a worthy cause."
Charlie will be giving fans the chance to get pierced by him on Sunday from 10am, with all proceeds from the first 30 customers going to LOROS, as well as any money taken after 5pm.
Kazbah will also be giving a LOROS Christmas Raffle ticket to each of its customers, which offers the chance of winning more than £10,000.
In return, Kazbah will donate £1 for each ticket given away until November 28, when the raffle closes.
To find out more about the raffle visit www.loros.co.uk/raffle