Alice Oseman raises nearly £18k for families in Gaza

An auction of signed drawings and books from Heartstopper author Alice Oseman has raised over £17,700 since launching on Tuesday 7th May.

Among the items on offer are signed special editions of the Heartstopper books, volumes one to five, personalised with the author’s drawings. Oseman is also offering a "one of kind" drawing as part of a prize draw, with the aim of raising money for Save the Children’s Gaza Emergency Appeal, which supports children and families in Gaza.

The initiative, titled "Not Alone: The Alice Oseman fundraiser for Children in Gaza",  raised £10,000 within the first 24 hours, with some items already sold out. 

Oseman said: "I am so pleased to present a fundraiser for Save the Children’s Gaza Emergency Appeal, which is providing urgent aid to children and families suffering due to the ongoing situation in Gaza. Signed books, rare merchandise, and a chance to win an original drawing by me will be available until 17th May."

According to Lisa Aubrey, director of regional fundraising at Save the Children UK, the money will support the organisation’s teams on the ground, who are working with families and children in Gaza.

Aubrey said: “We are incredibly grateful to Alice for setting up this one-of-a-kind fundraiser, which is already proving incredibly popular. Civilians in Gaza are being left without protection and are paying the heaviest price for the ongoing violence. Save the Children is calling for an immediate, definitive ceasefire to save and protect the lives of children in Gaza."

Fans have until Friday 17th May to enter the auction and prize draw, or to donate online.