British Celebrities Auction Personal Items to Fund Gaza Students' UK Studies

Over 20 British celebrities, including actors Nicola Coughlan from "Bridgerton" and Papa Asiedu from the "Harry Potter" series, have joined a special auction to raise funds for students from Gaza accepted to UK universities but lacking financial support. The auction features personal items donated by the celebrities, with proceeds dedicated to helping these students begin their studies.

Papa Asiedu contributed his personal copy of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," expressing his hope that the book could help open future opportunities for talented students whose universities have been destroyed. The initiative follows the UK government's announcement to assist Gaza students in coming to study in Britain, provided they secure full scholarships.

The auction is organized by Phoenix Space, which reports that hundreds of Gaza students have been admitted to prestigious UK institutions such as University College London, Imperial College, and the University of Edinburgh but still face funding gaps. Items up for auction include a signed behind-the-scenes photo from "Derry Girls" donated by Coughlan and actress Siobhan McSweeney, a signed Japan national football team jersey from former player Gary Lineker, a personal script from theatre actress Harriet Walter, a necklace worn by Vanessa Redgrave in "Long Day's Journey Into Night," and a vintage Christian Lacroix brooch donated by South African-Jewish actress Janet Suzman.

Both Coughlan and Asiedu have publicly expressed support for humanitarian aid to Gaza and have taken political stances related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Coughlan has called for a ceasefire and signed letters urging the US to halt arms supplies to Israel, while Asiedu signed a 2025 petition calling for a boycott of Israeli cinema institutions accused of complicity in alleged apartheid and genocide against Palestinians.

This auction aims to transform celebrity influence into tangible support for Gaza students striving to pursue higher education despite the ongoing conflict and destruction in their region.