CLIC Sargent’s 10-day ‘Get in Character’ eBay auction is expected to raise thousands of pounds for children and young people with cancer. Crime-writer and regular Cotswold Life columnist Clare Mackintosh is offering fans the opportunity to have their name appear in a forthcoming novel.

Clare is amongst 69 popular authors taking part in this year’s Get in Character eBay auction, an annual fundraiser organised by CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, and their families.

The 10-day auction takes place from 8pm Thursday February 26 to 8pm Sunday March 8 2015. The highest bidders for each author buy the opportunity to have a character named after them in their next book, and immortality in print. People can also bid to have a character named after a loved one.

Top authors joining Clare in the auction include thriller writer Lee Child, novelist Lisa Jewell and former SAS soldier Andy McNab.

Clare Mackintosh, who spent 12 years in the police force before becoming a crime writer full time, said: “Receiving a diagnosis of cancer is devastating. CLIC Sargent is there to support children and their families through what can be a long and terrifying process, and I’m honoured to be asked to help them raise money for this crucial work.

“My next book is a psychological thriller about a woman accused of harming her child. Depending on the gender of the successful bidder I have two characters in need of names: one is a hospital Safeguarding nurse working with social services, and the other is a CCTV operator working within a police station who plays a vital role in the resolution of the story.”

Kate Apperley, eBay co-ordinator at CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading charity for children and young people, said: “We have an incredible selection of authors supporting Get in Character this year so if you’ve ever imagined having your name immortalised in your favourite author’s book now’s your best chance.

“The money we raise will make a huge difference and help us provide the emotional and practical support that a child or young person’s whole family needs to help them cope with cancer and get the most out of life.”

CLIC Sargent’s Get in Character auction is also offering super-fans the chance to have lunch with author Lee Child or afternoon tea with writer Amanda Jennings. And aspiring writers can bid on the opportunity to have their work critiqued by top authors including Alison Bruce, Claire Dyer, Eve Seymour, Kate Rhodes, Karla Brading and Colette McBeth.

In addition, signed book bundles from Sarah Addison-Allen, Anthony Horowitz, Jodi Picoult, Lucy Dillion, Liane Moriarty and Jojo Moyes are up for grabs.

To find out more about the auction visit: http://www.clicsargent.org.uk/getincharacter

To access the auction visit: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/clic-sargent-get-in-character