AN AUCTION of celebrity memorabilia raised more than £4,000 towards a Wirral school’s theatre tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster.
Homegrown James Bond actor Daniel Craig, Weakest Link host Anne Robinson and pop diva Jessie J were just some of the stars who donated gifts for West Kirby Grammar School’s Auction of Promises.
Performing arts students need to raise £15,000 for the performance at next year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
The drama aims to capture the grief and consequences of the 1989 disaster while making the story relevant and current to today’s audience.
Daniel Craig was one of the first stars to donate, sending a signed leather flying jacket from his second appearance as Bond in Quantum of Solace.
The jacket sold for just under £200 at the auction held at The Red Door bistro in West Kirby.
Auctioneer Peter Critchley, from Northwich Auctions, brought the hammer down on more than 90 auction items.
Liverpool, Everton and Tranmere Rovers Football Clubs donated prizes along with pop stars Cliff Richard, Matt Cardle, The Zutons and The Wombats.
Businesses and shop owners also supported the appeal with donations.
Renowned sculptor Stephen Broadbent gave one of his hand-made bronzes, which sold for £280.
The school’s head of drama Jo Halliday said: “Our intention is to create a moving, inspiring piece of theatre. Š
“We will take the finished piece over to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2012. To do that we have to raise £15,000 to cover the costs of venue hire, sound and lighting equipment, marketing, travel and accommodation. Š
“The auction has given us a fabulous start.”
Students have made links with the Hillsborough Justice Group and hope to use transcribed interviews within the performance.
Jade Thomson, 17, from West Kirby, said: “The piece will be set in the present. “We want it to be interesting to our generation because it’s so important we don’t forget what happened.”
