Celebrity art in autism auction

See a selection of the artists' contributions In pictures

An auction for an autism charity has attracted pieces from some of the country's best-known artists.

Damien Hirst is rubbing shoulders with architect Sir Norman Foster, and artists Stella Vine and Chris Levine, who have all donated works.

The auction has been organised by Spectrum, which runs a school and care homes for autistic youngsters.

Proceeds from the event will help fund a new Spectrum education centre in Cornwall for adults with autism.

What started out as a small appeal for works by local artists in Cornwall, where Spectrum is based, mushroomed into an event attracting international interest.

News of the auction spread by word of mouth not just in the UK, but across the Atlantic with David Arquette, Courteney Cox and Cher making their own artistic donations after learning about the event from LA-based architect and interior designer Matthew Stokes.

Art auction co-ordinator Sarah Miller said: "The artists have been so generous right from the word 'go'. It's amazing the response we've had."

Spectrum, which opened in 1982, operates 23 homes around the south west of England caring for about 100 young people from all over the UK with autism and Asperger's syndrome.

It has also established a school to take a small number of individuals whose mainstream education has broken down.

Update

Registered with Ofsted, its philosophy is lifelong learning and education without boundaries.

Specturm says its flexible approach has helped some children with very complex needs receive an education when they were previously considered unable to do so.

Twenty-five years after it first opened, the first home in Cornwall is in need of major updating and conversion, which will cost £105,000 to complete.

This is the first phase of a £500,000+ development programme which will eventually provide modern residential support, assessment facilities and a day care/adult education centre.

The auction takes place on Saturday 3 November at the Headland Hotel in Newquay, Cornwall, but online bids will be accepted at Spectrum's website up until midnight on Friday 2 November.