A glittering cast of British screen and sports celebrities have put up their favourite footwear for a novel charity auction for one of the world’s leading leprosy charities, Lepra.
The “Shoesday” auction begins on 30th November to mark the annual Giving Tuesday campaign held globally to raise tens of millions of pounds in aid of good causes.
The charity, whose patron is Her Majesty the Queen, has attracted shoes donations from a star-studded line-up. They include Jo Brand, Martin Clunes OBE, Dame Judi Dench, David Flatman, Colin Jackson CBE, Joanna Lumley OBE, Dame Helen Mirren, Dermot O’Leary and Sir Tony Robinson.
Funds raised by the auction, to be held online, will provide custom-made footwear for people affected by leprosy, preventing further damage and injury to feet, and restoring independence and dignity.
Left undiagnosed or untreated, leprosy causes nerve damage leading to disability and in some cases, amputation. More than 7 million people across the world are estimated to be affected by leprosy and 600 new cases are diagnosed each day.
Dame Judi Dench, who played ‘M’ in the James Bond franchise, has donated a pair of the size 5 Hobbs black suede court shoes that would turn the head of any MI6 boss. The lot also includes a signed photograph of the BAFTA and Oscar Award winner.
Ex-England rugby star and TV pundit, David Flatman has donated his size 12 Asics trainers; well-used and well-travelled, they definitely belong to an active sportsman!
The size 6 Karrimor hiking boots of Sir Tony Robinson, complete with a short hand-written note have seen some history in the making, having been worn during the filming of Time Team.
The auction will be hosted by Dawsons Auction House and runs until 12th December. The familiar online auction format allows potential bidders to view the lots online here and place a maximum bid, then all they need to do is wait and see if their bid is successful! The auction house has kindly waived their selling fee meaning that 100% of the sale price will go to Lepra.
Commenting on the auction, Geoff Prescott, chief executive of Lepra, said: “Leprosy is one of the world’s oldest diseases; curable with a course of antibiotics yet devastating if left undiagnosed. Providing custom-made shoes is life-changing for people affected by leprosy; people who face extreme prejudice and discrimination. I am grateful that so many much-admired and recognised personalities have rallied to our cause by supporting our Shoesday event.”
