Yahoo News Philip Pullman to name character after teenage Grenfell Tower victim as auction campaign raises thousands for the families
Philip Pullman is likely to name one of the characters in his newest book after one of the young victims believed dead after the Grenfell Tower blaze following an auction campaign which has raised thousands of pounds.
The Authors for Grenfell campaign is raising money for the families affected by the fire as authors auction off literature-based prizes.
Philip Pullman has offered to give a name of the winner's choice to one of the characters in his latest book.
A teacher of 15-year-old Nur Huda el-Wahabi, who is believed to have died in the fire along with her family, pledged £1,500 to secure her name.
He said: "I expect this will go for a lot more (and I hope it does) but here goes: £1,500.
"If this is still the leading bid on Tuesday, I'd like to call the character Nur Huda el-Wahabi.
"The real Nur Huda was an ex-pupil of mine who lived in Grenfell Tower and didn't make it out of the building that night.
"A life that was so full of promise has been cut short in the most terrible way.
"As well as raising some money, this would mean her name would live on. Plus Nur Huda is a pretty cool name for a character.
This is happening on the Philip Pullman 'name a character' lot and I'm now sobbing uncontrollably. #authorsforgrenfellpic.twitter.com/TqRT59Ce4A
— Laura Steven (@LauraMSteven) June 26, 2017
"Please outbid me by lots though - it's an important cause".
Inspired by this, many people have added money to the pledge, to ensure the character is named after Nur Huda.
The character will be in the new novel from the acclaimed author, the second in the 'Book of Dust' series.
Philip Pullman wrote: "This book will follow the first part of THE BOOK OF DUST, ‘La Belle Sauvage’, which will be published in October this year. The second part (not yet titled) will follow next year. The right to name a character doesn’t guarantee that he or she will be good, bad, beautiful or otherwise, but it will be a speaking role with a part to play in the plot."
People have now raised over £17,000, and the amount is going up all the time.
No one has asked for another name since the name Nur Huda was suggested.
