Damien Hirst original goes up on sale on ebay today

Paintings by Damien Hirst are among the artworks being auctioned on ebay today in aid of the award winning children’s charity War Child.

The original signed Spin paintings by the Turner Prize winner have gone up on sale on ebay today, with profits going to help children affected by conflict.

Other items to go up for auction on ebay include an original signed Gibson Les Paul guitar which was donated to War Child by Gibson at the 2006 Mojo Awards, a hand painted Bestlite table lamp, donated by the acclaimed contemporary Scottish novelist, Irvine Welch and art pieces from Patrick Hughes.

"War Child are thrilled to have all these amazing lots on eBay. Damien Hirst is one of the most influential artists around and being able to give art fans the chance to buy two original pieces of his work is something War Child is very excited about. What makes this auction even more special is that all of the money raised will go towards supporting children acutely affected by conflict in some of the world’s most dangerous war zones"
Sara Bowcott, Fundraising Manager, War Child

All items will be available for auction on ebay from today for 10 days.

NOTE TO EDITORS

• Visit www.warchild.org.uk for information on War Child
• War Child was founded in 1993 in response to the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. A UN award winning charity, it works with local partner organizations in places acutely affected by conflict, with some of the most hard-hit children in conflict and post-conflict zones around the world. It has: Separated children from adults in prison and negotiated their release in Afghanistan; Supported de-mobilised child soldiers in Congo with start up grants and training in small business management; and Established much needed drop-in centres and trained social workers to support street children in southern Iraq.
• Iraq –2 million children have been displaced since 2003
Afghanistan- 1 in 4 children die before the age of 5
Democratic Republic of Congo – 2.7 million children under 5 have died due to the war
Uganda – Over 30,000 children were abducted during the conflict
• Our groundbreaking work with former child soldiers, street children and children in prison has helped thousands who would otherwise not have been able to reintegrate with their community, gain access to education or find a way of supporting themselves.We provide vital, on the ground support in each of the conflict zones we work in but also lobby politicians and governments to ensure our cause and the rights of children affected by war remains high on the public and political agendas.

ebay information

To view auction items and bid in the auction, bidders must log onto eBay with their own registered account.
1. The guitar is listed in the following category: Musical Instruments/Guitars/Electric/Gibson
2. The Lamp can be found simply by typing IRVINE WELCH into the search bar Its ITEM #1!
3. Listings will be up for 10 days

FURTHER INFORMATION    Sarah Gwonyoma (Press & Media, War Child)
sarahg@warchild.org.uk    020 7916 9276

Press Release Number: 05/2007