Downton Abbey star and Beaconsfield resident Joanne Froggatt is calling on people in Buckinghamshire to ‘wear rainbow colours’ to support a charity which raises money for Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

Marking the twelfth anniversary of the death of 11-year-old Rosie Mayling, the national charity will be holding an event in High Wycombe next month, and as patron of Rosie’s Rainbow Fund, Ms Froggatt is asking people to do their bit to help.

Over the years, the charity has provided thousands of hours of music therapy to seriously ill and disabled children at John Radcliffe Children’s Hospital, Oxford; Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Bucks; and the Royal Berks Hospital, Reading.

The organisation also offers supports for parents of long-stay and terminally ill children through aromatherapy massage sessions, as well as bereavement counselling in the event of the loss of a child.

Ms Froggatt said: “The services Rosie’s Rainbow Fund provide are incredibly important.

“Whether it’s helping to distract a child in hospital and allowing them to relax enough to get much-needed rest, or giving parents an hour of time to ease their tension and talk to someone who understands, having these supports in place makes a tremendous difference to a family dealing with a hospital stay.

“By taking part in ‘Wear Rainbow Day’, you’ll be ensuring that these services will be able to continue.”

As well as inviting people from all walks of life to donate £1 and wear rainbow colours on Friday, May 15, the charity will also be holding a ‘Cocktails and Cupcakes’ fundraiser in High Wycombe.

The event will feature a cocktail masterclass and competition at the Snug Bar, in Crown Lane, High Wycombe, at 5.30pm on Saturday, May 16.