Money will be donated to the Special Yoga Centre

More than �100,000 has been raised for a Kensal Rise charity following an auction of work by some of the biggest names in the art world.

Damien Hirst’s ‘Valium’ fetched �11,000, Banksy’s Choose Your Weapon’ went for �8,500 and Tracey Emin’s ‘You Said What’ etching was bought by Kensal Rise TV presenter Anna Richardson for �3,500, during the lively auction on Tuesday night.

All money will be donated to The Special Yoga Centre, in Wrentham Avenue, which cares for children with disabilities.

Potential buyers were greeted with a champagne reception at 20th Century Theatre, in Notting Hill, before they got the chance to have a look at the contemporary art and listen to TV presenter Gaby Roslin who spoke about the charity.

More than 100 guests had the chance to bid on the 45 pieces during the auction, which was orchestrated by Sotheby’s auctioneer Ed Rising.

In the first five minutes Jamie’s Reid’s ‘Tea and Sympathy’ fetched �5,000, which got the night off to a wonderful start.

The evening, called Raising the Roof, rolled on with the McCartney sister’s, Stella and Mary, helping to raise more than �3,800, with Stella’s yoga sketch and yoga outfit fetching �1,600 and Mary’s black and white limited edition photograph selling for �2,000.

Jo Manuel, founder of The Special Yoga Centre, said: “It was an incredible evening - we would like to say a huge thank you to all the artists who donated such incredible pieces and to all the guests who came and helped raise the money for our work and support our move.

“This year has been the best year ever.”

Natasha Byrne, mother of seven-year-old of Flynn who has been going to the Special Yoga Centre since it opened six years ago made a heart warming speech. She said: “When you have a child with special needs you feel as if the world just tells you ‘no’ all the time but Jo Manuel at the Special Yoga Centre said yes. She always says yes, and never turns a child away. The Special Yoga Centre is a godsend and I can’t emphasise enough what a special place it is.”