MAG Auction Block: Gillian's Flip-Flops
Posted at 6:24 AM (PST) on Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Fans get chance to buy celebrity shoes
28th November 2006
Life Style Extra, UK

Thousands of celebrity fans are expected to bid for a chance to own shoes belonging to David Bowie, Pamela Anderson and Heather Mills in a charity auction beginning today.

The celeb shoe sale on eBay kicked off with the estranged Mrs McCartney launching the sale of 60 pairs of signed shoes from stars including Ricky Gervais to politician and ex-Celebrity Fit Club contestant Anne Widdecombe.

The model has also bravely put her signed tan brown stiletto boots up for bids, inevitably inviting comparison with her husband, who donated his shoes at the last auction.

Paul McCartney's shoes went for £2,550 in the previous sale, the highest price out of any of the pairs in the March auction.

Oscar-winner Dame Judi Dench's signed black suede heels are also expected to generate intense interest, as are former-Beatle bandmate of McCartney, Ringo Starr's Patrick Cox black leather shoes.

Other prominent pairs include Susan Sarandon's silver Jimmy Choos and Paula Radcliffe's Nike racers, as well as Pamela Anderson's shoes designed by Stella McCartney

Just ten minutes into the ten-day sale, David Bowie's signed white ankle boots had received six bids, pushing the bid to £122, from the 99p price all of the pairs start at. Mills' boots had not received any bids.

The auction is being held to raise money for landmine charity Mines Advisory group (MAG), which employs over 2,500 people worldwide to clear landmines and unexploded bombs in countries such as Lebanon, Angola and Afghanistan.

Heather Mills said: "MAG works tirelessly to improve the everyday lives of millions of people around the world. By bidding generously, people not only have the chance to facilitate this work, but also to own a unique piece of celebrity memorabilia."

Spokesman for MAG, Mark Knight said: "We are expecting huge interest - last time we had thousands of bids - people have donated shoes from all walks of life.

"At this time of year, people are looking for Christmas present ideas, and what could be better than a pair of celebrity shoes?

"It's difficult to predict which pair will sell for the highest price. David Bowie's shoes are probably a good bet, but in the last sale, Keith Noone, from Herman's Hermits, donated shoes, which sold for £1,070.

"However, I think it is safe to say that Gillian Anderson's wedge sandals (flip-flops) will sell for more than Anne Widdecombe's trainers she wore on Celebrity Fit Club."

MAG's executive director, Lou McGrath said: "The support from celebrities for the shoe auction has been fantastic and resulted in an impressive collection of footwear.

"The money raised will play a vital role in clearing the remnants of conflict, preventing injuries and deaths and regenerating communities.

"The money is especially needed for our work in Lebanon, where the UN estimates there are around 100,000 unexploded bombs at 359 separate sites."

The auction can be seen on eBay at www.ebay.co.uk or www.magclearsmines.org.