Steve Coogan, Jo Brand and Prue Leith all contribute to annual Bookmark Project

Showing some of the bookmarks, Poppy aged 9 and her sister Sophia aged 7

Many household names have doodled, drawn or painted bookmarks for the 1st Burley Brownies Bookmark Project which is in its ninth year.

Over 400 bookmarks have been created from the likes of Clare Balding, Axel Sheffler, Steve Coogan, Jo Brand, Craig Revel Horwood, Sarah Snook, Prue Leith, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Nicola Walker, Jason Donovan, Chris Riddell and many more.

At the beginning of the year the girls of 1st Burley Brownies and their leaders write letters to their favourite authors, illustrators and celebrities asking them to doodle a bookmark.

In May each year the bookmarks are gathered and auctioned online between the 6th and 20th May to raise as much money as possible for Katiyo Primary School in Zimbabwe.

Brownie Leader Sharon Hattersley said:

“Over the years the Brownies have helped to raise over £80,000 for the school.  This money has helped to build blocks of toilets, provide desks and benches for all the classrooms and supported several other projects.

“This year we are thrilled to announce that we have completed the construction of a block of three nursery classrooms giving the youngest children at the school their own classrooms for the very first time. I had the opportunity to visit the school last summer and we are constantly amazed by everything the teachers achieve.”

Funds raised this year will go towards the purchase of a shipping container which will be converted into a school library that is hoped will in the future be accessible by the whole community, as many families at the school do not have access to books at home.

Sharon adds:

“1st Burley Brownies are 26 girls aged 7 to 10 years old and their leaders, we are based in the village of Burley-in-Wharfedale and have supported Katiyo school for over 20 years. The group has exchanged letters and WhatsApp messages with the teachers and children at the school and I have visited the school twice.”

The auction opens on 6th May at www.jumblebee.co.uk/bookmarkproject2025