Uri Geller donates art to schoolgirl’s campaign in aid of Israeli heart charity

Entertainer Uri Geller has donated his art in aid of a schoolgirl’s campaign to fund life-saving heart surgery in Israel.

Amelie Anderson, from Richmond, will undertake a sponsored 26-mile walk, approximately 60,000 steps, over two days along the Thames later this month, from Hampton Court Palace to Tower Bridge.

“The heart of a healthy 12-year-old girl beats approximately 60,000 times every 12 hours,” said Amelie, who will celebrate her batmitzvah next summer.

“My goal is to raise £11,500 to enable a child from a developing country to undergo life-saving heart surgery in Israel.”

Amelie’s fundraising goal will cover all medical care as well as travel and accommodation for the child and a family member during their stay at Save A Child’s Heart, an international, non-governmental organisation, based in Holon, Israel.

Sat in his not yet open museum in Old Jaffa, British-Israeli Geller, who claims to bend spoons and read minds, sent a video message to Amelie, showing a book of lithographs containing six of his drawings and five by Cypriot artist Andreas Charalambides, which he has donated and signed.

Showing one of his favourite works, “Eagle’s Eye”, which he said symbolises motivational energy, Geller then showed his “My Heart” piece, telling Amelie: “This is a special one because it is for you. You are doing such an amazing initiative, I congratulate you.”

Amelie added, “I wanted to do something meaningful to mark my batmitzvah, that will make a positive difference in other children’s lives”.

She recently corresponded with 13-year old Abay, from Ethiopia, who recently underwent successful heart surgery with Save A Child’s Heart. “We discovered that we both enjoy maths,” said Amelie, adding that the surgery means Abay can now pursue her dream of becoming a teacher.

Proud mum, Dr. Chloe Zeffert-Anderson, said: “Amelie is marking this special milestone in her life by doing something to make such a profound difference to the life of another child and their family.”

Amelie has so far raised more than £5,000 in sponsorship. “We still have a long way to go,” she added.

• To support Amelie’s campaign, see here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/amelie-anderson-sach