Windsor Auctions very kindly hosted the live auction, and their Auctioneer Harry Ballin did a fantastic job of entertaining online and in-person bidders, encouraging them to increase their offers to help raise as much money as possible for Momentum.

Popular pebbles attracting international interest included a Spiderman design by our Ambassador, actor Tom Holland, a beautiful illustration of Zog by children’s Illustrator Axel Scheffler, and a space design created by Astronaut Tim Peake.

We were so impressed by the artistry shown by the celebrities – every pebble was unique and included something of poignance to the celebrity who painted it.

Hollywood A-lister, Zendaya, painted a beautiful sunflower, actor Olivia Colman created an intricate tree design, children’s Illustrator Rob Biddulph painted his beloved ‘Gregosaurus’ dinosaur character, and actor Brian Blessed created an exquisite phoenix design.

Some of our celebrity supporters helped us even further by taking to social media to spread the word about the auction.

Twenty-four beautiful pebbles were auctioned, raising invaluable funds to help us be there to support more families with seriously ill children.

Footballer Alfie Gilchrist created a beautiful sunset beach design, TV personality Kirsty Gallacher designed a fun ladybird, TV presenter Angellica Bell created a colourful rainbow cloud, broadcaster Andi Peters made a colourful camouflage, and Heart FM’s Zoe Hardman painted a lovely heart and flower design. Every pebble was personally signed by the celebrity who painted it.

CBeebies star Andy Day painted a singing dinosaur from his hit TV show, actor Kenneth Branagh skilfully painted a crown, and Strictly champion Rose Ayling-Ellis designed an intricate collage of flowers for her pebble.  Broadcaster Carole Malone painted a dolphin, TV Chef Chris Bavin designed a delicious looking strawberry, and children’s Illustrator Chris Chatterton painted ‘Niko’ the bear, a character from his much-loved book. Paralympian Ellie Simmonds created an under the sea adventure, and comedian Lee Mack created a design of ‘Mo’ the owl, Momentum’s mascot.  Comedian Josh Widdicombe adding humour to the auction with his design which spelt ‘pebble’ in colourful letters, and professional ice skater Robin Cousins showed off his talents with an incredibly detailed ice-skating scene. Sports presenter Steve Sidwell created a hearts and rainbow design and our wonderful ambassador and west end star Kim Ismay completed the collection with a beautiful theatre scene featuring ‘Mo’ the owl.

Pebbles have a strong significance to many families supported by Momentum. We found that children visiting our respite cabins enjoyed decorating pebbles and leaving them in the beach hut for others to see and this inspired us to do more. Now, when a child is diagnosed, a personalised, decorated pebble, painted by our wonderful volunteers is given to them.

A huge THANK YOU to every celebrity who was part of our pebble campaign, to Windsor Auctions for kindly hosting the auction, and to everyone who bid for the pebbles!

Interested in organising your own fundraiser for Momentum? Find out more