By Leicester Mercury | Posted 19 November, 2017
Popular film and television actor Stephen Graham showed the common touch he is admired and respected for when he and his family hit the fund-raising trail for Leicester hospice charity LOROS.
The Hollywood star is famous for roles in hits such as such as Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides and playing tough guys like Al Capone in the HBO TV show Boardwalk Empire and Combo in This Is England.
But the 44-year-old Liverpudlian is equally well known in Ibstock, the Leicestershire village where he and actress wife Hannah Walters have made their home, as a devoted family man who is generous with his time.
He was in his element on Saturday when the couple and their children Grace, 12, and Alfie, 11, held a bucket collection for LOROS at Leicester's Highcross shopping centre.
Proudly sporting a yellow T-shirt emblazoned with the hospice logo, Stephen said: "If I can use my profile to raise some awareness and, ultimately, raise a bit of money for an incredible charity then of course I'm more than willing to do that."
Shoppers and fans couldn't avoid being impressed by his easy charm as he rattled his bucket and stopped here and there for a friendly chat or to pose for a selfie - with the enthusiastic support of Hannah, Grace and Alfie.
He added: "I'm loving it. I'm here with my family doing something amazing for an incredible charity.
"I'm really touched by people's generosity and would like to thank everyone who made a donation to the collection, however small. And it's been good fun too."
Mum-of-three Zoe Black, 35, from Ratby, was among the many shoppers who stopped to donate and have a selfie taken with Stephen.
She said: "I'm a big fan of his. Seeing him here chatting away with everyone, he's more village boy than Hollywood star."
Zoe added: "I think it's great what he's doing as I'm a huge supporter of LOROS. The work they do is fantastic and it's somewhere I'd really like to volunteer as soon as my youngest is old enough."
Stephen's fund-raising turn for LOROS came about after he and Hannah accepted an invitation to visit the hospice, in Groby Road, earlier this year.
Hannah - who has appeared in films such as Filth and Wisdom, directed by Madonna; alongside Stephen in Pirates of the Caribbean and This Is England, and in popular TV shows such as Whitechapel - said: "I was so impressed - I think we both were - and jumped at the chance to help.
"Both my parents have passed away and I remember when my mum was very ill choosing for her to spend her last days at home instead of in a hospice.
"I think I would have done things differently if I'd known then just how brilliant LOROS and its staff and volunteers are.
"It really is the most beautiful and peaceful haven and a tremendously positive place for patients and, just as importantly, their families and loved ones."
So far, Stephen, Hannah and the "mini Grahams" have raised £1,500 in just a week, with one more week of fundraising to go.
He has even taken his bucket with him to meetings in London, where he used his film and TV connections to get Game of Thrones actress Lena Headey to join him in helping to raise funds.
Supporters can also make a donation when Stephen and his family rattle their LOROS buckets at Ibstock Co-op store, in Ashby Road, later this week.
