Success was on the cards when celebrities, artists, patients and supporters created postcard-sized works of art for auction for Pilgrims Hospices.

Top of the lots that went under the hammer at Margate’s Harbour Arm Gallery on Saturday was one of Tracey Emin’s five offerings, fetching more than £2,700, while Quentin Blake’s made £1,100.

The record-breaking event raised £8,600 as more than 100 people gathered at the gallery to make their bids.

Other celebrity contributors included Barbara Windsor, Joe Pasquale, Michael Aspel, Bradley Walsh and Jo Brand, while Mo Farah and Simon Cowell also donated autographed pieces.

The postcards were anonymous at the point of bidding.

Among the crowd were friends Marion Armstrong and Janet Webzell, local artists from Cliftonville and supporters of the event and Pilgrims Hospices.

Janet said: “This is our second year at the auction and Marion contributed a postcard for sale. It’s a great event for a good cause. We like to do what we can to help.”

Organiser Karen Kenward, regional fundraising manager for Pilgrims Hospices Thanet, said: “Thank you to everyone who helped, contributed artwork, and attended the event and those who made bids – and especially to our star auctioneers Jane Wenham Jones and Frank Thorley.

“It is thanks to this level of community support that we can continue providing care to local people across east Kent free of charge.”

More than 100 of the postcards have now been sold, and the remainder are on sale from Pilgrims Hospices for a minimum donation of £10.

n The full gallery with the artists’ names revealed is available to view at www.
pilgrimshospices.org/