Celebrities unite in auction to fund UK scholarships for Gazan students

• Celebrities auction memorabilia to fund Gaza scholarships.
• Phoenix Space organizes 10-day fundraising drive.
• Funds help Gazan students study in UK.

More than 20 leading cultural figures and public personalities participated in a 10-day online charity auction launched late last month to raise vital scholarship funds for Palestinian students from Gaza seeking to study at UK universities.

The initiative, organized by the educational charity Phoenix Space, ran for 10 days following its launch on July 27.

It was spurred by the UK government’s announcement that students from Gaza would be permitted to travel to and study in the country—on the strict condition that they secure fully-funded scholarships.

According to Phoenix Space, hundreds of exceptional students in Gaza have already secured places at premier institutions such as University College London (UCL), Imperial College London, and the University of Edinburgh in advanced fields like artificial intelligence and cognitive neuroscience.

However, without sufficient financial backing, many remained unable to take up their places.

Prominent figures donate iconic scripts, jewelry, and personal keepsakes
The auction featured a broad lineup of unique personal items contributed by stars across stage, screen, sports, and music.

“Bridgerton” star Nicola Coughlan teamed up with her “Derry Girls” co-star Siobhán McSweeney to donate a signed behind-the-scenes photograph, while “Harry Potter” series actor Paapa Essiedu put up his personal copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

The extensive lineup of donors and items also included:

• Gary Lineker: A signed Japan national football team shirt.
• Maxine Peake: An official production hoodie from the drama I Swear.
• Juliet Stevenson: The very first poetry book she ever owned.
• Charlotte Church: A reserved spot at her next personal wellness retreat.
• Harriet Walter: Her personal script from the Donmar Warehouse’s all-female production of Julius Caesar, alongside a signed copy of her book.
• Vanessa Redgrave: A necklace she wore during her performance in Long Day’s Journey Into Night.
• Janet Suzman: A vintage Christian Lacroix brooch.

Other high-profile supporters contributing items to the fundraising drive included Brian Cox and Paloma Faith.

The proceeds from the 10-day auction are dedicated directly toward covering tuition, travel, and essential living expenses for students making their way from Gaza to UK academic institutions.