AN Apprentice star gave her hometown hospice a special gift when she donated clothes from her fashion business.

Jessica Cunningham, one of five semi-finalists in Lord Alan Sugar’s recent search for a business partner, donated the outfits from her venture The Prodigal Fox for Pendleside Hospice’s new store in Barrowford.

The 30-year-old mum-of-three was at the opening yesterday where she got herself behind the counter to serve the first customers through the doors.

It is the ninth shop the charity has opened up in addition to sites in Colne, Burnley, Nelson, Earby, Padiham and Barnoldswick.

Miss Cunningham, who hails from Burnley and attended school in Blackburn, said: “I feel so lucky to have been asked to open the new Pendleside Hospice shop.

“It is such a brilliant cause. The hospice looked after my grandad with Hospice at Home care before he passed away and the staff were tremendous.

“I love charity shops because you can experiment with different types of fashion in them and get some amazing bargains.

“My mum got me some suede boots four years ago from a charity shop that were £2 and I love them.

“I really wanted to give something back to the hospice and I want to encourage other people to donate items.”

The shop, which moved into the former Patchwork Chicks building off Gisburn Road, sells a range of items including designer clothes, kids toys, books and jewellery.

The Burnley-based hospice cares for those suffering with life-limiting illnesses and their families and more than £2.8million of its running costs per year is raised locally.

Chief executive Helen McVey said the cause was still on the lookout for more volunteers to help run the shop.

She said: “We’ve managed to recruit a lot of volunteers in Barrowford but we would appreciate some more help.

"We know there is lots of potential to raise lots of money in Barrowford.”