In collaboration with Channel 4, Hollyoaks have introduced an online marketplace where viewers can purchase bespoke designed t-shirts, worn by characters within the show.
The Mercedes McQueen ‘Strong, Sexy and Surviving’ collection of t-shirts are set to raise awareness for bowel cancer as the Channel 4 soap continues to air the hard-hitting storyline following Mercedes McQueen, played by Jennifer Metcalfe.
Alongside the t-shirts there will also be fitted jumpers, oversized jumpers, unisex hoodies, relaxed hoodies and tote bags available. They will be manufactured, to order demand, by TeeMill.
Over the past few months Mercedes has been undergoing treatment for an aggressive form of bowel cancer whilst being a single mother and pillar of support for many of her family and friends.
In a special episode aired on Wednesday 4th December, viewers saw Mercedes’ loved ones rallying around to support her through her next chemotherapy treatment, wearing t-shirts with the graphics ‘Strong, Sexy & Surviving’ in the iconic McQueen leopard print.
Find out more information here – https://hollyoaksshop.com/stand-up-to-cancer/
Lime Pictures, which makes Hollyoaks, will donate all the profits made from each sale of this range to Cancer Research UK in support of the Stand Up To Cancer campaign *
Jennifer Metcalfe has been praised in recent months for her sensitive portrayal of the storyline and has opened up about her personal experience with bowel cancer.
The words printed on the t shirts are reflective of the themes of this particular storyline and the character. With bowel cancer being the fourth most common cancer in the UK, it predominantly affects people over the age of 50 (around 94%), but the Channel 4 soap have chosen to cover this form of cancer in a younger person and document the difficulties with that.
Talking about the collaboration, Jennifer Metcalfe said: “I’m really pleased that within the storyline, as well as raising vital awareness, we are able to support Stand Up To Cancer. I think that the statement of the t-shirts sum up everything about Mercedes and how she has approached her treatment for bowel cancer – like she does everything in her life – bold and in her own way.”
*Applies to sales in the UK, Isle of Man and Channel Islands only.
