Sobell House Hospice’s Bicester charity shop has attracted more than two million views online after a visit from TikTok artist Sophie Tea.
The English contemporary visual artist, who has more than 1.3 million TikTok followers, visited the store as part of her charity shop series, where she transforms second-hand finds before raffling them to raise money for charity.
After searching the shop, Sophie chose a rocking horse for £40 and gave it a colourful makeover on the shop floor before raffling the finished piece to her followers.
The visit brought fans into the store to meet the artist, enter the raffle and have items signed. The hospice estimates shoppers spent more than £500 above the shop’s average takings that day.
Charlee White at Sobell House Hospice said: “It created such a buzz in the shop. We had Sophie’s followers coming along to meet her and enter the raffle, and the video itself has now been viewed more than two million times and received 254,000 likes. It’s fantastic exposure for the shop and for Sobell House Hospice.”
Charlee added: “Our charity shops play a really important role in raising the funds we need to provide hospice care across Oxfordshire. Last year, 1,439 patients were under our care at any one time, so every purchase, donation and fundraising boost helps us continue supporting local people and their families.”
The Bicester Superstore is open seven days a week and sells items including books, electrical appliances, clothes and furniture.