Cleaning ladies Joan Rivers and Tracey Emin raise £13,000
The Terrence Higgins Trust has raised £320,000 for people affected by HIV and AIDS by auctioning off the cleaning skills of unlikely maids Tracey Emin and Joan Rivers.
At the Lighthouse Gala Auction last night a bidder paid £13,000 for Emin and Rivers to don marigolds and clean his house.
Another paid £5,500 to go dog-walking with Geri Haliwell.
A tour around Coronation Street with actor Antony Cotton raised £5,000 and a shopping spree at Harvey Nichols with fashionista Isabella Blow reached £8,000.
The main event of the night was the auction of two neon artworks by Tracey Emin, which raised £110,000 altogether.
The first, “Keep me safe” was snapped for £50,000 by Kenny Goss, George Michael’s partner.
After some fierce bidding the second was sold for a whopping £60,000.
Other original artworks auctioned off included pieces by Mario Testino, Grillo Demo and David Bailey.
Debbie Holmes, Director of Fundraising at Terrence Higgins Trust said: “We’re thrilled the auction was such a success.
“The atmosphere in the auction room was electric and our supporters really dug deep.
“We’d like to thank everyone involved. £320,000 will make a huge difference to our work, supporting people living with, and affected by, HIV and AIDS.”
The auction, which is now in its 11th year, was attended by many celebrity supporters including Jerry Hall and Angus Deayton.
