Philip Pullman, author of His Dark Materials, offered to let readers bid for a chance to name one of the characters in his next book to benefit the victims of the recent Grenfell Tower disaster. A teacher is bidding for the name of one of his students, a resident of the tower who did not survive the fire — “Teacher’s bid to name Philip Pullman character after Grenfell Tower pupil gets £16,000 backing”.
Authors and well-wishers raising money for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire are augmenting a bid by a teacher to name a character in His Dark Materials author Philip Pullman’s new book after one of his former pupils, who lost her life.
Nur Huda, 16, died in the fire along with her parents Abdul Aziz and Fouzia, and her siblings Yasin, 21, and Mehdi, 8.
The teacher’s £1500 bid has been augmented by others’ donations, both small and large (one for £5000).
Many in the publishing industry are joining the Authors for Grenfell Tower online auction, offering items to help raise money for British Red Cross’s relief fund for Grenfell Tower residents and neighbors.
In addition to Pullman, sff donors include:
- Margaret Atwood
- Stephanie Burgis
- Zen Cho
- Genevieve Cogman
- Lev Grossman
- John Jarrold
- Rainbow Rowell
- Martha Wells
- Terri Windling
[Thanks to Nigel for the story.]