Celebrities across the UK have been raiding their wardrobes and homes to help raise money for charity mothers2mothers (m2m).
Stars including Annie Lennox, Colin Firth, Livia Firth, Emma Bunton and Mollie King have donated to an eBay auction which will raise funds for the charity’s vital work in sub-Saharan Africa, preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
A host of celebrities have donated designer clothing and other items to be auctioned on eBay as part of the mothers2mothers ‘make more than money’ special fundraising event, running throughout March.
The inaugural auction will celebrate Mother’s Day with items up for grabs including an autographed selection of Kings Speech memorabilia from Colin Firth, artwork created by Annie Lennox, a beautiful jewellery box from artist and model Tali Lennox and two beautiful designer dresses from Emma Bunton and Mollie King.
Every £30 raised helps mothers2mothers provide peer education and psychosocial support to one HIV-positive woman, over the course of her pregnancy, on how to keep healthy and prevent transmission of HIV to her baby. m2m Mentor Mothers also educate women on other topics critical to their health, ranging from family planning and reproductive health to tuberculosis and nutrition.
Speaking of the auction, Colin Firth comments: “I’m delighted to support mothers2mothers by offering this autographed package of Kings Speech memorabilia. I have enormous respect for the work mothers2mothers are doing to protect babies from HIV, and hope this auction is a great success.”
About her donation, Emma Bunton says: “This beautiful dress was hand made for me and I loved wearing it, but I’m delighted to donate it to such a good cause. mothers2mothers are doing amazing work in sub-Saharan Africa, helping mothers protect their babies from HIV infections.”
Almost all babies infected with HIV are in sub-Saharan Africa and acquire HIV from their mothers during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. mothers2mothers trains and employs HIV-positive mothers, called Mentor Mothers, to work alongside nurses and doctors providing life-saving information to pregnant women and new mothers on how to protect themselves and their babies from acquiring HIV.
Emma France, European Director of mothers2mothers said: “Every day, almost 900 children are infected with HIV. Yet most of these infections are preventable. Every day Mentor Mothers are helping mothers live healthy lives and have babies born free of HIV. Our supporters have been incredibly generous and this amazing auction offers everyone a chance to own a piece of fashion history and to help some of the most vulnerable mothers and babies in sub-Saharan Africa at the same time. It’s definitely worth a look – you might just find the perfect Mother’s Day gift! This is also your chance to sell your own personal treasures and donate the proceeds to mothers2mothers.”
For more information on the auction, click here.
The campaign is not only open to celebrities, anyone can donate items, to find out how, click here or to join the conversation, go to #m2m or @m2mtweets.
