Margaret Hanlon with a suit that once belonged to Elton John
at the Sue Ryder shop in Tenterden

by Tricia Jamieson

tjamieson@thekmgroup.co.uk

He is renowned for his outrageous stage outfits.

Now a suit reputed to have belonged to Elton John could be yours.

The somewhat conservative cream linen and silk outfit is the star item in a silent auction being run by the Sue Ryder shop in Tenterden High Street.

But would-be bidders had better hurry up – the auction closes next Wednesday.

Shop manager Margaret Hanlon said: “We have been told the suit was bought at a charity auction in London by a relative or friend of the person who donated it to us.

“Apparently it was donated to the original auction by Elton John and it has not been worn since then, so I assume the last person to wear it would have been him.”

The suit is in lots being auctioned by the shop as part of the charity’s national Freedom February fundraising campaign.

All the money raised will be used for work for people with life-shortening conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s or motor neurone disease.

Margaret said: “Because this is a leap year, we have an extra day’s care to fund so as a charity we are doing lots of different events this month.

“We have had a number of lovely things donated to us which we have been holding back for this silent auction.”

Other lots include a large collection of Sindy dolls and furniture, pottery, model trains, crested china and Airfix model kits.

All the items are on display in the shop window and customers are invited to place a bid for anything that they would like. The shop is also running a raffle.