Paul O’Grady life long Salvation Army supporter (Image: Getty)
THE husband of late-comedian Paul O’Grady has urged the country to think of others this Christmas as he revealed that he had donated the star’s stylish wardrobe to the Salvation Army to help give the least fortunate a fighting chance at a better life.
The Sunday Express has partnered with The Salvation Army this Christmas for the Warm Hearts campaign, which aims to ensure that no one is left miserable over the festive season.
The campaign is encouraging readers to be present for others this festive season in the same way that the Salvation Army will be present for communities across the UK this Christmas, as it has been for over 150 years.
Paul, who died last March aged just 67, was a lifelong supporter of the charity after witnessing the vital support it gave to the underprivileged in his native Liverpool.
In 2016 he presented the BBC series Paul O’Grady: The Sally Army and Me. He bequeathed the organisation £50,000 in his will.
Paul O’Grady with husband Andre Portasio (Image: Getty)
Now his bereaved husband, Andre Portasio, 44, has chosen to continue this legacy by donating Paul’s extensive wardrobe to the charity.
Although he was well known for his colourful alter-ego of Lily Savage, Paul’s personal dress sense, while less flamboyant, was always immaculate.
Explaining why he chose to give away such precious mementoes, Andre said it was in line with Paul’s drive to help others.
He realised that allowing the less fortunate in society to look their very best would hugely increase their chances of employment.
He said: “The Salvation Army prepares people to go into the workforce, and part of that is to prepare them to go for an interview. Paul was a very smart dresser and didn’t follow trends.
“His wardrobe was very classic and would suit many men.
“I have had to make many difficult decisions after Paul’s death and, if his clothes could help change the course of someone’s life, that’s what I had to do.”
The former social worker’s connection with The Salvation Army began when he was a child and he witnessed their work first hand.
“They saved kids near my street when I was a boy with food kitchens, helped me when I was a care worker and supported people I know over the years,” Paul said in an interview before his death.
Paul O’Grady’s drag persona, Lily Savage (Image: Getty)
But it was The Salvation Army’s work during the AIDS crisis, when its volunteers worked tirelessly alongside patients as others stayed away through fear, that cemented the bond, Andre said.
“Since Paul was a child, he had a charitable spirit and he had great memories of his childhood with the Salvation Army,” he said. “He was always close to them.
“We met and got together in 2007, and from the first day I met him I realised that he had a great respect for The Salvation Army.
“This was sparked during the AIDS pandemic. During that time many AIDS patients were stigmatised and people were afraid to go near them.
“Paul went to see many of his friends in hospital with AIDS; he would perform as Lily Savage, his drag persona, on the wards for AIDS patients.
“At this point, The Salvation Army was very much there. Paul had a great respect for that. HIV was very much viewed as being on the gay scene, but for The Salvation Army this was not an issue.
“These patients needed help. Paul was there and the Salvation Army was there. Paul helped many organisations but The Salvation Army spoke very dearly to his heart due to the fact that it focused on social injustice.
“This was very much who Paul was.”
Andre said that since Paul’s death The Salvation Army had offered him help and solace.
He said: “There are no words to describe The Salvation Army and the support it has given me. They have supported me in such a sensitive and delicate way since Paul died.
“When I offered Paul’s clothes, they advised me to take my time. It did take months and to go through all his belongings was a very hard task.
“But I had a calm feeling in my heart. As sad as the situation was that he is not with me anymore, I felt that if his clothes were going somewhere to benefit other people, then this was a good thing.”
The Salvation Army urging ‘warm hearts’ this Xmas (Image: Getty)
Paul, who was awarded an MBE in 2008, was also a famed animal lover. He was an ambassador for Battersea Cats and Dogs Home, where a clinic is named after him.
This was entirely in keeping with his character, said Andre.
“He would always be a cheerleader for the underdog,” he explained. “This was true even with his own dogs, and we have had many.
“Normally, when one gets a dog, you choose it by the look of the dog. Not Paul. If it had a broken leg or no eyes, he would always pick them. We had two dogs that were epileptic.”
While Paul’s support of both Battersea and The Salvation Army were well known thanks to his TV shows, “ninety per cent of his charity work was done out of the spotlight”, Andre revealed.
He said: “Paul never helped an organisation, a person, or a group unless he felt somewhat touched by it.
“He did not do it with the intention of having his name published on a plaque, or receiving any award.
“He did it privately, and even now, after he has died, this still weighs heavily on me. He built his legacy in a private manner.”
Paul, animal lover, kept many rescue dogs (Image: Getty)
Andre urged readers to join in the Warm Hearts campaign, pointing out that even the smallest kind deed could make an enormous difference.
He said: “Paul was always present for people, just as The Salvation Army is present for people to offer help.
“He was extremely talented in everything he did, as a radio DJ, as a TV presenter, as a broadcaster and as a drag queen.
“But above all else he was very, very charitable and he has bestowed on me to take on that work. My intention is to inspire others through his natural being of kindness.
“And other people can do their bit too. Whether it is time, whether it is money or whether it is helping someone in sad circumstances, to be able to use that sad and terrible situation and make it into something positive is what is important.
“That was my intention with the donation.”
Share the spirit of the season and donate to The Salvation Army so they can undertake their vital work over Christmas and throughout the year by following www.salvationarmy.org.uk/sundayexpress
