The new merchandise is available to buy.
Hollyoaks spoilers follow for Wednesday’s episode (December 4), which is available to watch now on streaming service Channel 4 and hasn’t yet aired on TV.
Hollyoaks has announced a new charity fundraiser, amid Mercedes McQueen’s cancer story.
Since the time jump in September, the Channel 4 soap has been following Mercedes’ battle with bowel cancer, and how she has coped with her aggressive treatment while being a single mother.
In a special episode that airs today (December 4), Mercedes’ friends and family rally around her as she commences her next chemotherapy treatment, following the Christening of her twins.
To show support, her loved ones, including Freddie Roscoe, turn up wearing T-shirts with the slogan ‘Strong, Sexy & Surviving’ – complete with the iconic McQueen leopard print.
Alongside this special episode, Hollyoaks have introduced an online marketplace, available to access here, where viewers can purchase the bespoke designed T-shirts that are worn by characters in the show.
As well as T-shirts, there will be fitted jumpers, oversized jumpers, unisex hoodies, relaxed hoodies and tote bags available to buy.
All profits from the range sold on the marketplace will go to Cancer Research UK, in support of Stand Up To Cancer – the national fundraising campaign they run together with Channel 4.
In a statement, actor 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 sums 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.”
Mercedes was previously told that her current chemotherapy treatment hadn’t responded as they had liked, and there was a shortage of the drug that they needed in the UK.
While she briefly attempted to source this drug illegally with the help of Grace, Mercedes has now returned to her hospital treatment after encouragement from Misbah.
Hollyoaks airs on Mondays-Wednesdays with its Channel 4 streaming premiere at 7am, then an E4 broadcast the same night at 7pm. Full episodes are also released on YouTube a week after their Channel 4 release.
