Celebrities rally for Gaza children in auction to deliver shoes
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- Dozens of high-profile celebrities, including Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth, and Benedict Cumberbatch, rallied behind the Small Steps Project's 16th annual shoe auction to raise funds for children in Gaza.
- The auction has already raised approximately $22,000, enabling the purchase of 1,000 pairs of shoes for vulnerable, barefoot children navigating war-torn Gaza.
Dozens of high-profile celebrities have rallied behind the Small Steps Project's 16th annual Celebrity Shoe Auction, aimed at supporting children in war-torn Gaza.
The UK-based charity, which provides shoes, emergency aid, and dignity to vulnerable kids living on landfills and in conflict zones, dedicated this year's event to its "Step Up For Gaza" campaign.
The live portion kicked off on November 27, 2025, at a London venue, where half the donated items were sold, raising approximately £16,000.
These funds have already enabled the purchase of 1,000 pairs of shoes for barefoot children in Gaza, who navigate rubble, sewage, and harsh winter conditions without protection.
The online auction, hosted on CharityStars, was launched shortly after, and items are still available to bid on.
Bidders worldwide vied for signed footwear from over 50 stars.
Notable participants included Kate Winslet, who contributed a pair of Rupert Sanderson heels, building on her previous support that raised £4,000 last year for over 200 Gaza children.
Sia, Liam Hemsworth, and Benedict Cumberbatch also donated a pair each.
Other donors spanned entertainment and music, including Patti Smith, Simon Pegg, Paloma Faith, Damon Albarn, Laurence Fishburne, Anya Chalotra, Bonnie Wright, and Jeremy Corbyn, among many others.
Small Steps Project ensures 100% of auction proceeds go toward aid, with the celebrity event providing half its annual funding.
In Gaza, where displacement and destruction have left thousands of children exposed, the initiative supplies protective footwear and essentials through partners like The Sameer Project.
Last year's auction raised £52,000; while the 2025 one stands currently at $21,975.28.
