Authors including Julia Donaldson and Philip Pullman to auction off handwritten notes for charity

46 authors, musicians and creators will be auctioning off handwritten notes of the first lines of their books, songs or plays in aid of the charity Three Peas. The charity, which supports refugees and asylum seekers in Greece, asked authors and creators from the UK and beyond to handwrite or illustrate the first line of their most famous book, script, piece of music on a card.

In total, 46 creators wrote a card for the charity to sell, including patrons of the charity, composer Roxanna Panufnik and illustrator Axel Scheffler.

Panufnik said: "As the daughter of a refugee and a Patron of Three Peas, I feel honoured to be able to ‘give back’ to our fellow humankind who need it the most. This is a fabulous multi-discipline concept that I’m hugely proud to be part of. Ideal Christmas presents or celebrating anniversaries with something truly original and momentous. Get bidding!"

They join Philip Ardagh, Rick Astley, Brian Bilston, Rob Brydon, Shami Chakrabarti, Tracy Chevalier, Joseph Coelho, Cressida Cowell, Richard Curtis, Abi Daré, Benji Davies, Julia Donaldson, Michael Frayn, Stephen Fry, Mark Haddon, Joanne Harris, Samantha Harvey, Charlie Higson, Claire Keegan, Marian Keyes, Alexander McCall Smith, Val McDermid, Michael Morpurgo, David Nicholls, Ben Okri, Adele Parks, Liz Pichon, Philip Pullman, Catherine Rayner, Claudia Roden, Carlo Rovelli, Katherine Rundell, Philippe Sands, Sathnam Sanghera, Nick Sharratt, Posy Simmonds, Nigel Slater, Meera Sodha, Emma Thompson, Petroc Trelawny, Sarah Waters, Jacqueline Wilson and Asako Yuzuki.

Sheffler said: "I have, through personal connections, been following the work of Three Peas right from the beginning. Impressed by their personal engagement as citizens who want ‘to do something’, to help ease the suffering of people who have had to leave home behind due to conflict or persecution, I am proud to be their Patron. And what a great platform to help, this First Line Auction! All funds raised will go to Three Peas’ much needed work."

The funds raised will go to Three Peas and bidding takes place from 22nd November to 8th December 2024 online.