Theatre designers announce special auction to raise funds for babies and children in Gaza

More than 100 of the UK’s leading theatre designers are donating original artwork, sketches and scale models to raise funds for babies and children in Gaza through the Gaza Formula Fund.

Organised by designers Georgia Lowe and Miriam Buether, the online auction includes signed work from Bunny Christie, Tom Scutt, Kinnetia Isidore, Tom Pye, Ben Stones, John McFarlane, Vicky Mortimer, Ralph Koltai, Anna Fleischle, Nicky Gillibrand, Tim Hatley, Ian MacNeil, Soutra Gilmour and Antony McDonald, among others. Pieces come from productions such as Six, Guys and Dolls (The Bridge), Billy Elliot, Nye, Operation Mincemeat, Prima Facie and My Neighbour Totoro. 

All proceeds will go to the Gaza Formula Fund, a grassroots charity founded by Lowe and Gaza-based aid worker Izziddeen in July 2024, which provides formula milk, nappies and other essentials to families with young children. Since its launch, the fund has raised almost £300,000.

Buether said she was inspired by Lowe’s work with the charity and wanted to help by creating an industry-wide initiative. “Together we conceived the idea of the auction, in response to conversations with many others within the industry and the clear strength of feeling,” she said.

In a joint statement, Lowe and Buether added that the event demonstrates the theatre community’s solidarity and commitment to supporting families affected by the ongoing conflict.

The auction launches on JumbleBee at 9am on 16 October 2025 and runs for two weeks. All items will be signed by their designer, with some also featuring signatures from members of the wider creative team or cast.