October 17th 2024.
After almost two decades of dedicated service, a beloved former star of Gogglebox, Marina Wingrove, has decided to retire from her charity fundraising role. The 89-year-old, known for her cheeky personality and quick wit, has hosted her final coffee morning, marking the end of her impressive 17-year run of raising over £41,000 for various charities including Macmillan, Great Western Air Ambulance Charity, and Children’s Hospice South West.
In recognition of her incredible efforts, the St. Monica Trust Retirement Village in Bristol, where Marina resides, held a special event to honor her dedication to philanthropy. Marina, who appeared on Gogglebox with her best friend and fellow St. Monica resident, Mary Cook, until her passing in 2021, became a fan favorite for their hilarious antics and racy comments on the beloved Channel 4 reality show.
Reflecting on her experience on the show, Marina fondly described it as "absolutely fabulous" and credited it for bringing her back to life in her "twilight years." She shared in an interview with BBC Radio, "I'm glad I've done it, it was marvelous." Despite her retirement from Gogglebox, Marina will always hold dear the memories and friendships she made during her time on the show.
As she steps back from her charity role, Marina expressed her gratitude towards the residents of St. Monica Trust for their unwavering support. She admitted that it was surprising to see how much money they were able to raise through events like quizzes and raffles, which were always a hit among the residents. Marina, who will be turning 90 this Christmas, believes it's time for her to take a well-deserved rest but will continue to participate in other activities like quizzes, music, and parties at the retirement village.
The money raised by the St. Monica Trust residents through Marina's organized events, such as coffee mornings, afternoon teas, and Christmas fairs, has made a significant impact on various charities. Grateful for her contributions, the charities she supported, including Macmillan and Children's Hospice South West, expressed their appreciation for Marina's hard work and dedication. Macmillan's relationship fundraising manager, Diana Roberts, described her as "passionate and dedicated to charity," while Amanda Leonard, the area fundraiser for Children's Hospice South West, thanked Marina for her energy, devotion, and generosity.
Despite the loss of her dear friend Mary, Marina continues to cherish her time on Gogglebox and the meaningful relationships she formed through her charity work. The retirement village manager, Claire Chambers, shared, "From raising money to organizing events, to helping promote the work of the St. Monica Trust, Marina's contribution to our community has been huge." She also added, "Not to mention being the life and soul of our parties."
Gogglebox, the show that brought Marina back to life, can still be enjoyed on Channel 4 every Friday night at 9 pm. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures to share, you can reach out to the entertainment team at The Agency by emailing, calling, or visiting their Submit Stuff page. They would love to hear from you!
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