I wonder just how much these Dames/Sirs do for charity to be honest other than associate their names with the various organisations? . . . . .
Collins has publicly supported several charities for several decades. In 1982, Collins spoke before the U.S. Congress about increasing funding for neurological research. In 1983, she was named a patron of the International Foundation for Children with Learning Disabilities, earning the foundation's highest honour in 1988 for her continuing support. Additionally, 1988 also had the opening of the Joan Collins Wing of the Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. In 1990, she was made an honorary founding member of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. In 1994, Collins was awarded the lifetime achievement award from the Association of Breast Cancer Studies in Great Britain for her contribution to breast cancer awareness in the UK. Collins is patron of Fight for Sight; in 2003, she became a patron of the Shooting Star Chase Children's Hospice in Great Britain while continuing to support several foster children in India, something she has done for the past 25 years.
She became a patron of Shooting Star Chase in 2003.
The charity, which has hospices in Guildford and Hampton and cares for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions and their families, said it was “delighted” with the appointment.
“We can’t think of anyone more deserving of a damehood than our wonderful patron,” it added.
“Joan has tirelessly supported Shooting Star Chase for many years, doing all sorts of amazing work to help make every moment count for children with life-limiting conditions in London and Surrey.
“Joan has fundraised by appearing on Celebrity Deal Or No Deal, All Star Mr and Mrs and Who Want’s To Be A Millionaire, and by becoming a broker for the day as part of the BGC Charity Day.
“She’s also opened our Weybridge shop and donated some of her exclusive designer wardrobe, and treated our supported families to breakfast at Selfridges last year.
“We are eternally grateful for all the support Joan has given the charity, and the impact she’s had on the children and families we care for.
“We congratulate her on such a fantastic achievement and look forward to welcoming a dame back at our hospices next time she visits.”
Dame Joan is also a long-standing ambassador to The Children’s Trust, the UK’s leading charity for children with brain injury, which works with children and young people from its specialist centre in Tadworth and in communities around the country.