Eastbourne teacher’s fundraiser in memory of student set to go live this week

Sophie’s Secret Postcard Auction was set up by St Richard’s Catholic College, in Bexhill, by teacher Miranda Pennington in memory of her former student Sophie Maria Taylor, who died in 2017.

Sophie would have been leaving the college this summer as a ‘beautiful, talented and successful young lady’ and #sophiespostcard2020 is a way to mark her memory and her love of the Arts, said Miranda.

The auction began at midday on eBay on Wednesday, June 17 until 10pm on Saturday, June 27 and all artwork will have a starting bid of £1.

The aim of the auction is for people to send in their artwork on a postcard-sized piece of paper and a signature on the back, which will then be sold off to the highest bidder.

All proceeds will be donated to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, the hospital where Sophie and her family received care and support before she died.

More than 1,000 postcards have been sent in by people from all around the world including some famous names such as Sir Quentin Blake and Dame Jacqueline Wilson.

Miranda said, “On behalf of everyone at St Richard’s Catholic College, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and Sophie’s family, I’d like to say a big thank you and hope you enjoy taking part in the auction.”

The teacher added that there has also been a ‘phenomenal’ show of support from talented amateur and professional artists in East Sussex, as well as a number of postcards from creative young students.

The college said they have been preparing all year for the event and the deadline has now ended for artwork to be sent in.

For more information, visit www.sophiespostcard.com

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