Dame Helen Mirren and Sherlock actor Benedict Cumberbatch are amongst the star-studded cast to have donated items to help an Island school’s fundraising drive.
Holy Cross Catholic Primary School in East Cowes now has a twinkling prize pot for its Summer Fair raffle and games, along with plans for a celebrity auction, thanks to items donated from Dame Helen and actor Benedict, who married director, writer and actress girlfriend Sophie Hunter at Mottistone Manor on Valentine’s Day and is now reported to have bought a home on the Isle of Wight.
The fair is being held at the school in Millfield Avenue, East Cowes, on Friday 10th July between 15:00 and 17:00. The auction will be held in the autumn.
Other stars who have provided prizes for the school’s fundraising efforts include pop band Blue, who featured in this year’s prestigious VE Day 70th anniversary concert in Horse Guards Parade, London, world-renowned explorer Ranulph Fiennes and glamourous author Jackie Collins.
Holy Cross head teacher Timothy Eccles said:
“The amount of support we have received is astounding. We are so grateful to everyone who has taken the time to respond to our requests and offer such a selection of great prizes.
“Everyone is welcome to buy raffle tickets and join in with the fun at the summer fair. It promises to be a great event with lots of things for the whole family to enjoy.”
Local celebrities have also been quick to offer their support, including chart-topping lead singer and bassist Mark King, who has handed over a huge bundle of signed Level 42 goodies, and world record-breaking yachtswoman Dame Helen MacArthur, who has provided a signed copy of her autobiography Taking on the World.
Bidders will be able to compete for a rare poster from acclaimed movie The Queen, signed by acting royalty Dame Helen, whilst an autographed limited edition photograph of her taken by photographer Patrick Lichfield is one of the raffle prizes.
The photographer, who died in 2005, was a favourite of the Royals and was chosen to photograph the wedding of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer and snap the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
A signed photograph of The Imitation Game actor Benedict is sure to be a star attraction at the auction, while mums, dads and grandparents can bid for a copy of the Jollywobbles! Car Wash DVD by Justin Fletcher, accompanied by a signed postcard from the Bafta-award winning CBeebies’ presenter.
Blue fans have the chance to add an autographed copy of the band’s fifth album Colours to their collection and, for other music lovers, there are tickets to see Leo Sayer at Shanklin Theatre.
After positive responses from the agents representing the likes of Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe and QI presenter Stephen Fry, along with offers of signed prints from Michaela Strachan and Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington, Holy Cross is also hoping to add to its star-studded prize pot in time for the autumn auction.
The Holy Cross Summer Fair will not just let competition entrants reach the heady height of movie and pop stardom, either – the raffle’s star prize is a tandem skydive.
The holder of this winning ticket, worth £240, will get the chance to see the island as they have never seen it before thanks to a prize donated by Skydive Isle of Wight.
A host of other local businesses have also offered raffle and games prizes, including the Isle of Wight Zoo, Chessell Pottery, Island Ales, Blackgang Chine, Adgestone Vineyard, Stewart Gibbs Photography, Haven Falconry, Adventure Activities, Ryde Swimming Pool, Yan Woo, The Crab Shanklin, The Lifeboat in East Cowes, SDM Gardening, Lucketts Coach Tours, the Owl and Monkey Haven, Dolly Day Dreams, Shanklin Chine, Glory Art Glass, the Medina Theatre, The Essex, IoW Pearl, Lilys Coffee Shop, and Coleman’s Farm.
Entry to the Summer Fair is free and visitors can enjoy a fest of music, dancing, food, drink, emergency service vehicles, a bouncy castle, stall, games, entertainment and prizes. All money raised will benefit the pupils directly.
The school’s PTA will be selling raffle tickets at the East Cowes Summer Fun Day between 10:00 and 16:00 on 4th July at Victoria Recreation Ground, Victoria Grove, East Cowes.
A full list of raffle prizes and tickets are also available by calling Kirsty Ruth on 07449 101314 or by emailing [email protected].
