Downton Abbey script donated by Lord Julian Fellowes to help Norfolk charity fundraisers

by Donna Semmens Tuesday, December 6, 2011
1:00 PM

 

 

ME charity to benefit from donation to trio who have raised £24,000 for research.

The titled author of top TV show Downton Abbey has donated a script to raise money in a charity auction run by a Dersingham fundraiser.

Lord Julian Fellowes has given the script to Helen Buckenham who, along with her family, has raised £24,000 for Action for ME - a condition she has suffered from for 20 years.

The script is from the first episode of the second series of the popular drama and will be going up for auction on December 22 via the Ebay website.

Lord Fellowes of West Stafford also sent a signed photograph and note with the script wishing the fundraisers every success with their auction.

Mrs Buckenham, along with her sister Liz Smith, of Mundesley, and mother Anne Reynolds, of Dersingham, has been holding charity auctions and sales for around 17 years and the trio contact celebrities and popular shows to ask for donations.

Over the years the responses have included a large signed photograph from Nelson Mandela; a T-shirt worn by Michael Crawford during rehearsals for Phantom of the Opera and various scripts, mementos and photos from a range of stars.

A pantomime script starring Paul Michael Glaser, of Starsky and Hutch fame, has so far made the most with £1,500 raised from one auction.

“People have been really generous, you just never know what you are going to receive -if anything,” said Mrs Buckenham, 58.

Currently the trio are selling signed photos from the BBC’s popular Strictly Come Dancing programme and they change the items every ten days.

“We have sent things all over the world, China, the USA and Australia - the Ebay site means everyone gets the chance to bid - it has been amazing,” said Mrs Buckenham.

The fundraisers have also held charity clothes shows but due to Mrs Buckenham’s fluctuating health, they stick to internet auctions now to continue their efforts.

Actor and singer Michael Xavier, Lord David Puttnam, Lady Elizabeth Anson and Samantha Bond are patrons of the charity and 80pc of the proceeds go towards research into the childhood condition which affects around 25,000 youngsters. The remainder goes towards research into ME affecting adults - up to 250,000 people are believed to live with the condition.

To bid in the charity auction, go to Ebay, click ‘community’ and search for the seller identification 263liz.

ME, or myalgic encephalomyelitis/ encephalopathy is also known as chronic fatigue syndrome and for further information see http://www.afme.org.uk/

EDP