A West Ham United legend mingled with shoppers when he opened a new boutique-style charity shop supporting Havering’s Saint Francis Hospice. 

Sir Trevor Brooking cut the ribbon then spent time chatting with customers, staff and volunteers at the shop in Loughton.  

Now at 75 he is patron to the hospice at Havering-atte-Bower who was invited to open the boutique by the charity’s retail boss Paul Newell.

“Sir Trevor made the occasion extra special,” Paul said. “So many shoppers turned up on our first day.”

The shop in Loughton High Road stocks new products as well as “preloved designer brands” to raise funds to keep the hospice going.

It is the first of the charity’s newly-designed shops which look more like boutiques, the 15th in its catchment area that covers Romford, Hornchurch, Ilford, Wanstead, Brentwood, Barking, Dagenham and west Essex. 

“Shoppers pick up a bargain while their donations help people who need our palliative and end-of-life care,” Paul added. “There is a real sense of community and we are part of that. 

“Many people have had loved ones and friends who have used our care services.” 

The hospice scored with their patron opening its newest store.

Sir Trevor played for the Hammers from 1966 to 1984, making 647 appearances including winning the 1975 FA Cup at Wembley and scoring the winning goal in the 1980 FA Cup Final.

He also made 47 appearances for England during his career and he took managerial charge of West Ham for a caretaker spell in 2003.

Sir Trevor met Hammers fans at a meet and greet at Romford Shopping Hall last November.

The hospice is looking for volunteers with time to spare to help out at any of its charity shops.

They can find out how to get involved on the volunteer page of the charity’s sfh.org.uk website. 

The charity employs 150 nurses, doctors and healthcare specialists, supported by 800 volunteers. They provide free care to 4,000 people with with life-limiting illness such as cancer, heart, lung or motor neurone disease.