Featured in 'Celebs on Sunday'  THE SUNDAY MIRROR - 19th August 2007

I ran the idea past my friend, Susie Amy. "That's really cool. Why hasn't anyone thought of it before? I'm definitely in," was her response, Brilliant. If she liked it, then perhaps it could work. Susie and I met before she became famous for playing Chardonnay in Footballers' Wives, and we became great friends, sharing a love for fashion. The idea I'd suggested to her was so simple, I was sure I was on to a winner. Celebrities give me the clothes they no longer wear and I auction them off on a website, donating most of the proceeds to a charity of their choice, and keeping only a little to fund the site. I came up with the brainwave while reading my favourite celebrity magazines. It suddenly struck me how much hassle celebs get for wearing the same outfit twice. 

"Look at Posh in the lovely dress. Bet She'll never even wear it again", I said to my fiance Neil, showing him the article. "Such a shame, wish she'd pass it this way." Neil just yawned. It wasn't really his cup or tea - but his ears soon pricked up when he heard the concept. "What if we put the outfits to good use?" I suggested. That night, we came up with everything, even the name for the website - Celebrity Castoffs. But it wasn't until I spoke to Susie and told her the idea that I really belieived it could go somewhere. I'd always worked for the family transport company and never considered running my own business before. 

When Susie came back to me with 13 items, ranging from a top made by the celebrity designer Kyri, to Abercrombie combats, I began to see my idea taking shape. I got the website up and running in December last year. Then all I needed to do was get some stars on board. Susie was a great way into the world of celebrity... "First off, I'll ask Max. "The actor, Max Beesley, was Susie's boyfriend, and when he agreed to donate two of his suits I was over the moon. "They're beautiful, "I thanked him, as he handed over the Oswald Boateng suits. He'd worn one to the Brit Awards and the other to the Comedy Awards, so I knew they'd sell well. Then, thanks to Susie's help and a PR friend, a slow trickle of other celebrity outfits started to arrive. 

Denise Van Outen donated a dress, Dame Kelly Holmes gave a dress she wore for Dancing on Ice, while David Gest and Matt Willis offerred up their I'm A Celebrity... jungle outfits. I was so pleased to be doing so well, although David Gest's jungle shirt still hasn't sold... I'll need to find a fan. 

My most generous celebrity so far has definitely been Susie, but Max's suit has been my biggest single sale at £350 - a guy bought it for his wedding. We've helped such a range of charities already, from Cancer Research UK to the Whizz-Kidz organisation for disabled children.

The chosen charity is completely up to the celebrity, and up to 70 per cent of the proceeds go to the cause. It's still early days, but we're already past the £1,000 mark. I can't give up my day job, but that's fine. The charities are my main concern.