A CHARITY based in Downton has earned £2,500 from the auction of a book specially signed by Harry Potter author JK Rowling.

EdUKaid, which helps educate poor children in rural Tanzania, was given a first edition of The Cuckoo’s Calling which the world’s most successful author signed twice – once using her nom de plume Robert Galbraith and secondly as JK Rowling.

The sale took place on Tuesday, December 10, at London auction house Sotheby’s and came about after Margaret Darling, a friend of the Scottish author, visited Mnaida, one of the primary schools the charity was renovating in southern Tanzania. She was so inspired she contacted the author, who donated the first edition of her crime novel written under the name of Robert Galbraith.

Mrs Darling, who lives in Edinburgh, said: “Jo knows the value of education. She was a teacher. Her very special gift will allow EdUKaid and the community to put desks, water, sanitation and blackboards into schools like Mnaida.”

Tim Varney, EdUKaid chairman said the proceeds from the book sale were very welcome and would pay for two pre-primary school teachers and two assistants for a year. He added: “It also gave us a lot of publicity. A few more people know about our charity now. We are very grateful to the author.”

He said it costs the charity between £25,000 and £30,000 to renovate a school in southern Tanzania and make it fit to use.