The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
A-listers support £3.9m expansion for Sue Ryder
Dee View Court building to benefit from star-studded auction
Astring of famous faces have backed an Aberdeen charity’s £3.9 million drive to nearly double the number of people it can care for.
Eddie Redmayne, Kate Moss and Daniel Radcliffe are among the A-list celebrities who are auctioning off personal items in aid of Sue Ryder Dee View Court.
Staff at the Kincorth centre look after people with a range of neurological conditions including multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease and motor neurone disease.
It currently has space for 24 residents but in August the ground was broken on an extension to increase this to 44.
Fundraising began last year and more than £2.3m of the target has already been reached, with hopes that the charity’s starstudded auction will bring the goal even closer.
On Friday, Sue Ryder will open a pop-up shop in London to showcase the items, with a silent auction going live until Monday evening for those unable to travel down.
Among the lots are a signed copy of the original script for biopic The Theory of Everything signed by star Eddie Redmayne.
The actor won an Oscar for his portrayal of Professor Stephen Hawking, who lived with MND for most of his life.
He said: “It seemed a fitting tribute to the memory of Stephen to donate my signed script from The Theory of Everything to Sue Ryder.
“The charity provides vital support to people living with MND and I’m delighted that funds raised from my donation will help to support people living with this and other life-changing conditions.”
Other items up for grabs include a signed Real Madrid football shirt from Gareth Bale, a pair of sandals owned by X-Files star Gillian Anderson and a limited edition vinyl from singer Sam Smith.
Holly Spiers, the charity’s director of hospices and fundraising, said: “Our pop-up shop will be stocking some amazing vintage garments and accessories donated by a host of celebrities and iconic names from the worlds of fashion and entertainment.”
Valerie Maxwell, Dee View Court centre director said: “Neurological conditions can affect anyone at any time: they do not discriminate.
“Our waiting list is always full and having so much support from celebrities who have donated to the auction and the support from people who visit the shop and buy items will help us give more people the chance to call Dee View Court their home.”
All of the lots going under the hammer can be viewed at givergy.com/ charities/sueryder