Today, the Evening Post launches its latest fund-raising drive to steer the appeal for the Maggie's cancer caring centre closer to its £500,000 target. LYNETTE PINCHESS reveals how readers can get their hands on some exciting celebrity memorabilia in a silent auction.

STARS of stage, screen, sport and music are helping to boost the Post's £500,000 Maggie's appeal for a cancer caring centre in Nottingham.

Donations include signed memorabilia from legends like Dame Shirley Bassey, Tony Curtis, Michael Caine and Doris Day.

The items will be auctioned through the paper to bring the appeal – currently at £452,022 – closer to its target.

Lots include a DVD of the James Bond classic Goldfinger, signed by Pussy Galore herself, Honor Blackman. Dame Shirley Bassey has contributed an autographed copy of CD Get the Party Started and there's a signed Bon Jovi CD, Lost Highway. Nottingham Panthers are backing the appeal with a shirt signed by the first team.

Ken Dodd fans have the chance to win a meet and greet with the comedian, two free tickets to his show at Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall on December 30 and a signed DVD.

The showbiz legend said: "I'm delighted to support this wonderful campaign and charity. I wish the Nottingham Evening Post every success."

Also up for auction are signed photos from stars including Michael Caine, Henry Cooper, Dame Judi Dench, Katherine Jenkins, Ewan McGregor, Alan Rickman and Colin Firth.

Sir Ian McKellen sends his "wizard wishes" on a signed photo of him as Gandolf in Lord of the Rings. Another top prize is a self portrait doodle from Genesis drummer Phil Collins.

We have a host of signed books. Henry "The Fonz" Winkler has donated autographed copies from his Hank Zipzer series of children's books; there's a signed copy of Michael Palin's best-selling Himalaya and Jane Asher's Cakes for Fun.

Wishing the Post good luck with the appeal is Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's spokeswoman Katie Kornfield, who sent a signed photo of the movie star from the Rock Foundation in the US.

She said: "We wish you and your community all the best for a successful fundraising appeal."

There's also a unique prize of the hat worn by Miss England at Ascot last year in celebration of the great British pork pie.

Maggie's fundraiser Glenis Ping urged readers: "Please bid generously as every penny will go towards building Maggie's Nottingham. There are some exciting prizes that will appeal to fans – or could make really fantastic Christmas presents."

The items have been donated by the celebrity themselves or their publicist. You can bid for any number of prizes but only one bid per item. Each item will go to the highest bidder.

Bids should be e-mailed to lynette.pinchess@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk or posted to Lynette Pinchess, Nottingham Evening Post, Castle Wharf House, Nottingham NG1 7EU. Put the name and number of the item in the subject heading or on the envelope and include the amount you're bidding, your name and phone number.

If two people make the same highest bid, the first to enter will win.

The closing date is Sunday, December 6. Payment, by cash or cheque, must be received before the item is handed over. Bidders must be 18 years or older. Postage must be paid for by the winner. The Post takes no responsibility for bids sent but not received. Usual NPG rules apply. See classified for details.

ITEMS FOR AUCTION

1. Goldfinger DVD signed by Honor Blackman

2. Get the Party Started CD signed by Dame Shirley Bassey

3. Paulo Nutini signed black and white photo and signed copy of his debut CD These Streets

4. Phil Collins self portrait doodle and black and white photo

5. Vera Lynn signed portrait The Force's Sweetheart by Tony Jackson

6. Signed Bon Jovi CD Lost Highway

7. Vicar of Dibley Christmas special 2004 script signed by Roger Lloyd Pack and signed black and white postcard photo

8. Su Pollard signed book Hearts and Showers, CD and novelty dog clock

9. CD and DVD, The First Barbarians, Live from Kilburn, signed by Ronnie Wood

10. Christine Hamilton's spectacles and handwritten message

11. Alvin Stardust signed CD My Coo-Ca-Choo

12. Alvin Stardust signed CD Live at Ronnie Scott's, The Birth of Rock and Roll

13. Natasha Kaplinsky signed colour photo and Five news script

14. Leona Lewis signed copy of Bleeding Love CD single

15. Bob Hoskins signed DVD Mrs Henderson Presents and signed black and white postcard picture

16. Pork pie hat worn by Miss England at Ascot, specially commissioned by Pork Farms

17. Notts County FC signed ball and shirt 2007-08

18. Nottingham Panthers' game worn shirt signed by the entire team

SIGNED BOOKS

19. Jodi Picoult: Change of Heart (signed insert)

20. Phil Vickery: Passion for Puddings

21. Henry 'The Fonz' Winkler: Hank Zipzer novel Niagara Falls – Or Does It?

22. Henry Winkler: Hank Zipzer novel Day of the Iguana

23.Sally Gunnell: Be Your Best (also signed photo)

24. Janey Lee Grace: Imperfectly Natural Home

25. Michael Palin: Himalaya

26. Raymond Briggs: The Snowman (Japanese cover)

27. Kenneth Branagh: Signed copy of the award-winning play Edmond in which he played the eponymous hero

28. Jane Asher: Cakes for Fun

SIGNED COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS

29. Ian McKellen as Gandalf in Lord of the Rings

30. Nigella Lawson

31. Dame Judi Dench (postcard)

32. Michael Caine

33. Jeremy Irons

34. Doris Day

35. Tony Curtis

36. Keeley Hawes (postcard)

37. Katharine Jenkins

38. Craig David (postcard)

39. Christopher Biggins

40. Paul O'Grady and Buster

41. Dwane 'The Rock' Johnson from The Game Plan

42. Kim Wilde (postcard)

43. EastEnders' Barbara Windsor (postcard)

44. Sam Beeton

45. Gavin and Stacey's Mathew Horne, Joanna Page, Ruth Jones and James Cordon, signed by Mathew Horne (postcard)

SIGNED BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS

46. Alan Rickman

47. Colin Firth

48. Jamie Oliver

49. Rik Mayall

50. Mackenzie Crook (postcard)

51. Ewan McGregor (postcard)

52. Tommy Steele

53. Mathew Horne (postcard)

54. Henry Cooper (two photos)

55. Emma Thompson

56. Timothy Spall (postcard)

57. Keeley Hawes (postcard)