Three prominent British actresses have joined a group of 23 celebrities in donating personal memorabilia to raise funds for scholarships supporting Palestinian students from Gaza accepted by UK universities. The charity auction seeks to assist students who have been offered places at leading institutions but face financial and logistical barriers preventing them from pursuing their studies.
Among the items offered are an annotated script from the all-female production of *Julius Caesar* by Dame Harriet Walter, 75, a necklace worn by Dame Vanessa Redgrave, 89, during her Tony Award-winning 2003 Broadway performance in *Long Day’s Journey into Night*, and a vintage Christian Lacroix brooch donated by Dame Janet Suzman, 87. Other contributions include actor Paapa Essiedu’s copy of *Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone* and actress Juliet Stevenson’s early poetry reference book, *The Concise Encyclopedia of English and American Poets and Poetry*.
The auction is intended to generate financial support for scholarships at UK universities, providing opportunities for more than 200 Gazan students who have secured placements, including offers from institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge. These students currently face significant challenges in leaving Gaza due to ongoing restrictions and limited resources.
Last month, the UK government pledged assistance to facilitate the departure of students holding fully funded scholarships who meet immigration criteria. However, despite a ceasefire announced in October, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains precarious. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, Israeli military operations since the ceasefire have resulted in over a thousand fatalities.
Funds raised through the auction will be directed to Phoenix Space, an education charity working to support students from Gaza in accessing higher education abroad. The initiative aims to provide a lifeline for talented scholars whose academic prospects have been curtailed by the broader conflict and blockade.
Participants in the auction have expressed strong motivation to contribute. Paapa Essiedu described his donated book as “proof that miracles can happen,” while Juliet Stevenson called her involvement “a no-brainer.” The collection of donated items combines theatrical history, personal significance, and cultural heritage to inspire support for educational access amid ongoing challenges in Gaza.