This summer, Sophie's Postcard – an online art auction run by St Richards Catholic College in Bexhill-on-Sea – returned for the fourth time, having previously run in 2018, 2020 and 2022. Celebrities, artists, pupils and the general public donated 2,146 pieces of unique artwork that were auctioned on eBay for 10 days in June 2024.
#sophiespostcard is organised by devoted art teacher Miranda Pennington in memory of her former student, Sophie Maria Taylor, who was treated at The Royal Marsden. Sophie sadly passed away from cancer in 2017 at age 12.
Teacher Miranda Pennington said: “We are so thankful to all the artists and supporters of Sophie’s Secret Postcard Auction. The first Sophie’s Postcard was intended to be a one off secret postcard auction, but it was so successful that it will run for the fourth time this summer."
"It is inspirational to see Sophie remembered in this way, as she loved art. I am so proud to be part of this event which has helped make a difference to children like Sophie being treated for cancer at The Royal Marsden.”
Hand-drawn artwork donated by a host of famous names
Artwork for the auction is donated each year by professional artists, designers and illustrators, as well as children from St Richard’s Catholic College and the general public. Sir Quentin Blake, illustrator Axel Scheffler, TV presenters Lorraine Kelly and Victoria Coren Mitchell and Dame Jacqueline Wilson are just some of the famous names who have donated their hand-drawn artwork in the past.
Bidders do not know whose work they are bidding on, so part of the fun is trying to recognise the signature style of the hand who drew the artwork. All the postcards have a starting bid of £1 and are auctioned on eBay, and only when the auction closes will the winning bidders find out who the postcards have been created by.
Raising funds for world-leading cancer research at The Royal Marsden
Since 2018, the school in Bexhill-on-Sea has raised over £180,000 for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity through the creative charity auction.
Vicky Johnson, Associate Director of Public Fundraising and Engagement at The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, said: “We are incredibly grateful to St Richard’s Catholic College for their continued support of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, in memory of Sophie. The money raised through Sophie’s Postcard funds groundbreaking research at The Royal Marsden, helping to develop life-saving treatments for young cancer patients across the UK and around the world. Thank you to all those who have supported this project and helped make it such a success.”
This year's auction
The fourth Sophie's Postcard ran for 10 days in June 2024, raising over £100,000 for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. This is added to the £82,500 already raised since the project started in 2018, helping to fund world-leading research to improve the lives of young cancer patients.
Find out more at the Sophie's Postcard website.
