Update: the page sold (to a very generous Wellingtonian who added an additional donation to his winning bid!). And Ella’s family have indeed raised enough money to take her to the conference. A big thanks to everyone who helped out!

This week I’m selling a page of original art from Atlas #1 on TradeMe to help raise money for some very dear friends of ours, whose daughter Ella has growing problems with her eyesight. Ella is one of the loveliest, sweetest kids I know, but her case is unusual enough that numerous tests and treatments have failed to nail the problem.

Now Ella’s been offered a rare opportunity to have her medical problems looked at by some of the world’s most qualified experts at an international conference in Australia next month. Unfortunately, there’s no funding available to help fly her there and although her folks are some of the most excellent people I know, they just don’t have the money. So with the help of friends and family they’re doing everything they can to raise the funds and get Ella to that conference!

So here’s your chance to own a piece of original artwork by me, and at the same time to help out some really, really nice people.

The auction closes at 9.15pm on Monday 8th February, and (if you’re in New Zealand) you can bid on it here. All proceeds will go directly to Ella’s family.

Note: TradeMe only accepts bids from within New Zealand, but if you’re somewhere else and want to help, let me know; I’m considering doing an eBay auction of another page too (eBay is a bit of a mystery to me, but maybe this is a good reason to finally try it out?).