Dame Helen Mirren, Anita Dobson and Sir Frederick Forsyth show their support

An eclectic mix of prominent names from the fields of art, design, fashion, television, theatre, film, sport and literature are getting creative this year by designing envelopes that will be sold to the public to help raise money for the National Literacy Trust.

The celebrities involved in the seventh annual Pitney Bowes Pushing the Envelope campaign have transformed everyday envelopes into exclusive works of art which will be sold on eBay in March 2012.

The list of illustrious names supporting the initiative this year include actress Dame Judi Dench, fashion designers Giles Deacon and Louise Gray, authorsJoanne Harris and Tracy Chevalier, children’s author Rod Campbell, singer Dame Shirley Basseyand Olympian Sally Gunnell OBE.  In previous years the campaign has secured support from established artists such as Grayson Perry, Damien Hirst and John Knapp-Fisher, and a range of impressive household names are expected to participate in the Pushing the Envelope campaign this year.

All entries this year are based on the theme ‘Inspiration’ giving extra insight into the creative minds of the celebrity supporters. Uri Geller provides a mystical design that features the evil eye, known to ward away bad luck, actress Dame Helen Mirren’s colourful design is a playful take on the ‘Pushing the envelope’ idiom and Dakota Blue Richards’ innovative design reveals that inspiration can render ordinary objects into fantastical creations.

All proceeds from the auction go to the National Literacy Trust; a charity that works in disadvantaged  communities across the UK, helping people to gain the literacy skills they need for success and happiness throughout life.

Interested bidders can view a selection of the envelopes at the campaign’s websitewww.pushingtheenvelope.info

Current support for the 2012 campaign includes:

 

-          Ada Zandition, fashion designer   

-          Anita Dobson, actress

-          Andrew Logan, jewellery designer          

-          Sir Andrew Motion, former Poet Laureate          

-          Sir Bernard Ingham, journalist

-          Christopher Biggins, actor

-          Dakota Blue Richards, actress

-          Duncan Pow, actor

-          Sir Frederick Forsyth, author and political commentator

-          Giles Deacon, fashion designer  

-          Guy Denning, artist

-          Helen Craig, children’s author and illustrator

-          Dame Helen Mirren, actress

-          Jeremy Strong, children’s author

-          Joanne Harris, author

-          Jo Brand, comedian

-          Dame Judi Dench, actress

-          Kim Woodburn, television presenter

-          Laura Hambleton, children’s illustrator

-          Louise Gray, fashion designer

-          Michelle Mone, entrepreneur

-          Milton Glaser, graphic designer

-          Pandemonia, artist

-          Rod Campbell, author and illustrator

-          Tracy Chevalier, author

-          Uri Geller, psychic and mystic

-          Wayne Hemingway, fashion designer

Bart Leonard, Director, Marketing and Sales Operations EMEA Pitney Bowes at Pitney Bowes commented:  “Pitney Bowes is committed to supporting the National Literacy Trust; we share many values, namely to enable effective communication. All funds from Pushing the Envelope help the National Literacy Trust transform lives through literacy and offer those in the UK with poor skills the chance to gain greater confidence, employability and opportunities. Over the years, the Pitney Bowes ‘Pushing the Envelope’ project has raised over £80,000 for the National Literacy Trust, and we aim to make this year our most successful to date.”

 National Literacy Trust Director Jonathan Douglas said:

“Every penny raised from the Pushing the Envelope campaign makes a difference to our work in disadvantaged communities across the UK. The money will provide children with books of their own for the first time or help struggling teenagers gain the communication skills they need for the workplace. Raising the literacy levels of children and families in need will help them to enjoy better opportunities throughout life.”