Celebrity Bottom Drawer auction raises thousands for EACH
Bidding ends on Sunday
Items from Dawn French, Cate Blanchett, Ed Sheeran, Delia Smith, Paul McCartney, Ricky Gervais and Coldplay have raised over £53,000 and counting for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH).
The Celebrity Bottom Drawer auction site launched last Friday and bidding will end on Sunday at 10pm so there's time for more money to be raised.
The timing couldn't be better for EACH, having just forecasted a loss of £2.2 million in funding over the next year.
As of Wednesday morning, the best-performing lots were:
- Headcollar worn by Enable, signed by John Gosden and EACH Ambassador Frankie Dettori - £4,800
- Dawn French’s Datejust Rolex - £4,200
- Bronze bust of Mel Smith, from the estate of Mel Smith - £4,000
- Cate Blanchett’s deluxe box of ‘Carol’ film goodies - £2,000
- Daniel Laurie’s PlayStation 5 - £1,525
The auction also includes items from Ipswich Town and Norwich City, plus a visit to Holkham Hall and a week’s stay at a Welsh cottage restored by Griff, among other such lots.
EACH has never been in more need of fundraising support. The charity has experienced a hugely significant drop in voluntary income as a result of shops being closed and fundraising events being cancelled this year.
Comedian Griff Rhys-Jones had the idea for the auction. He said: “What we’ll give is a tiny thing for a huge and vital service. I’ve met parents and children at the Treehouse (EACH’s hospice in Ipswich). I’ve never been so overwhelmed. It’s a place that buys precious time for people who really need it. Don’t be afraid. A hospice is not about death. It is about making the very most out of life and joy. If we can all get behind this auction, we can really help.”