Glittering prize from Precious' creator

Published on Saturday 19 September 2009 19:55

THERE will only be one copy produced – and it could be yours, for a price.

Alexander McCall Smith, famous for his No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books, has written a new mystery, which he is putting up for auction along with a set of diamonds to raise funds for the 500 Miles prosthetic limbs charity.

Former lawyer Olivia Giles, who lost her lower arms and legs after contracting meningitis, asked the author to pen the new story for her charity, which raises money to help amputees in Malawi and Zambia.

The signed manuscript will come with a set of diamonds worth 6,500 and the chance to have them set in the buyer's own choice of jewellery at Edinburgh firm Hamilton & Inches. The diamonds will play a key role in the McCall Smith story.

Giles yesterday launched the bidding for the unique lot, which is one of 11 being sold off at her Miles for Smiles charity ball on October 3. Potential buyers can bid for the item on the Scotland on Sunday website.

Giles said: "Alexander McCall Smith has millions of fans around the world. This unique manuscript will give his readers the chance to own their very own McCall Smith story.

McCall Smith said he considered Giles a heroine for her campaigning work: "She has battled adversity and conquered it. She never complains – she just gets out and helps others."

Giles was working as a senior partner at Edinburgh law firm Maclay Murray & Spens in February 2002 when what she thought was straightforward flu turned out to be meningococcal septicaemia. She spent four weeks in a coma and a further eight months in hospital recovering.

She went on to hold several events to raise awareness of meningitis before launching her 500 Miles charity in 2007 with fellow quadruple amputee Jamie Andrew.

The charity now runs a series of projects including a prosthetic limbs workshop in Zaire, and Flyspec, an air service which delivers vital services to patients in Zambia and Malawi.

Giles also wants people to sign up to the Miles for Smiles charity walk on 3 October around the heart of Edinburgh, which is being led by The Proclaimers, whose hit I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) inspired the charity's name.