Celebrities supporting epilepsy

Published: September 19 2018
Last updated: September 28 2022

Hollywood actor Tom Hardy has joined other famous faces from the world of film, TV, fashion, literature, art and sport and doodled in support of epilepsy.

Over 100 celebrities have sketched, drawn, painted and doodled to raise money for Epilepsy Action, and help support people with epilepsy on National Doodle Day.

From Friday 21 September to Sunday 23 September, the celebrity doodles go under the hammer in a three-day eBay auction to raise much-needed funds for our work

Tom Hardy has sketched his on-screen alter ego from his up-coming superhero movie, Venom, while other celebrities have produced more abstract works.

Linford Christie, the Jamaican-born sprinter and Olympic gold medal winner, has sketched the HMT Empire Windrush, the ship which brought Caribbean immigrants to the UK in 1948. The ship was in the news earlier this year as the government wrongly deported people who arrived in the UK before 1973.

Timmy Mallett, the TV personality known for hosting children’s shows such as Wacaday, has sketched a bike, having recently cycled halfway across Europe in memory of his late brother Martin. The bike that Timmy rode through Europe, which he had named after his brother, was stolen on his return to the UK.

Danny John-Jules, a contestant in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, has taken inspiration from his starring role in the sci-fi series Red Dwarf. Having played Cat in the long-running series, he has doodled a cat for the charity auction.

Their doodles are joined by sketches from Joe Thomas (The Inbetweeners, Fresh Meat), Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous), MacKenzie Crook (The Office, Pirates of the Caribbean), comedians David Baddiel and Harry Hill, Princess Diana dress designers Christina Stambolian and Ben de Lisi, artist Grayson Perry and many others.

Record-breaking GB swimmer and Epilepsy Action ambassador Imogen Clark, who has also sketched a doodle for the charity, said:  “I’m extremely proud to be supporting Epilepsy Action’s National Doodle Day. I’m a keen artist when I’m not in the pool, and find drawing really helps me to relax and express myself. It’s really inspiring to see such a fabulous range of artwork by big names up for grabs.

“Epilepsy Action was there for me and my family when I was first diagnosed, giving us vital information when we felt lost and didn’t know where to turn. Every doodle will help to change the lives of people like me with epilepsy, so please get bidding and good luck!”

Over 1,500 celebrities, including Sir Ian McKellen, Mary Berry, Joanna Lumley, Sir Elton John and Olivia Colman, have taken part in National Doodle Day since it began 15 years ago. Together they have raised over £160,000 for Epilepsy Action, and people with epilepsy.