In 1999, art teacher Dorothy Claxton was deeply moved by the suffering of children growing up in war zones. She decided to act in the way she knew best - through art.
Dorothy invited artists and public figures to sketch a dove, the universal symbol of peace, to be auctioned for charity. What began as a simple but powerful idea became Doves for Peace: a movement uniting creativity with compassion.
Since then, Doves for Peace has raised more than £64,000 for charities working with children affected by conflict. Hundreds of original artworks have been donated, each one an act of solidarity with children whose lives have been torn apart by war.
In 2024, the third Doves for Peace auction raised £18,758.20 for War Child. These funds went directly towards our programmes that keep children safe, provide access to education, and support their mental health.
Now, in 2025, Dorothy’s vision continues. The fourth auction will take place on Wednesday 17th September, kindly hosted free of charge by Will Farmer of Fieldings Auctioneers. For the first time, artists have been invited to expand beyond the dove motif- this year’s collection explores broader interpretations of love and peace.
Preview the artworks on Instagram at @doves.for.peace, and register to bid online!
Every piece sold for War Child carries Dorothy’s original hope: a world where children can grow up safe, supported and free from the fear of war.
