AN AUCTION of art from such big names as Boy George and Antony Gormley has raised nearly £30,000 for a hospice charity.

More than 200 pieces of art were donated to Longfield’s Big Heart online auction which ended on Thursday – raising £29,006.

The highest bid was for Boy George’s drawing called ‘Loving The Alien’ after a David Bowie song which sold for £4,300.

Another large painting by Boy George, called Old Punks Never Die, went for £2,250.

The celebrity support was thanks to Hollywood fashion stylist David Thomas, who grew up in Churchdown.

He broke his personal code of conduct to ask Lionel Richie, Boy George, and John Legend to draw pictures for Longfield as a way to say thank you.

The charity’s hospice at home nurses cared for his aunt Sue Privett who died at their family home in 2013.

“Both George and John (Legend) have agreed to do another picture and a friend of mine from Chicago, will match the highest bid on both as she lost out on the bidding war,” said David.

“George and I are over the moon with the results.”

Mr Gormley, the sculptor behind the 65ft high Angel Of The North and Another Place on Crosby Beach, donated the artwork of a shadowy figure to Longfield. The 15 x 10.5cm piece sold for £2,700.

Other big names included Bishop’s Cleeve artist PJ Crook, who helped launch the appeal whose artwork sold for £560, former Prime Minister David Cameron (£92) and author Jilly Cooper (£32).

The youngest artist was five-year-old Maria Howe whose picture sold for £6.

A separate auction of the work of the late artist Barbara Dorf, raised £9,750 for the Big Heart appeal.

Longfield, which supports more than 800 people across Gloucestershire who have life-limiting illnesses, will use the proceeds to fund its community-based art therapy course.

“The money raised by this auction will enable Longfield to support people in Gloucestershire and help them to live well,” Andrew Fletcher, Longfield chief executive, said.

“We are staggered by the amount raised and thank everyone involved from the artists to those people who supported us by bidding for these wonderful pieces.”