Diana print to be auctioned for Peru earthquake appeal

An exclusive print of Diana, Princess of Wales, will be auctioned by world-renowned Peruvian photographer Mario Testino to help communities in Peru rebuild their lives.

Peruvian fashion photographer, Mario Testino

Wednesday 29 August 2007

It's been two weeks since an earthquake measuring 8 on the Richter scale devastated coastal communities in Peru.

Lasting over five minutes, the earthquake killed more than 500 people and left 35,000 without a home. More than 100,000 children have been affected by the disaster.

Mario Testino ©Peruvian photographer Mario Testino is donating a one-off, exclusive print of Diana, Princess of Wales, to be auctioned on 20 November in London by Phillips de Pury & Company. The money raised from the auction will provide blankets, large tents, food, water containers and kitchen equipment to help thousands of families recover from the earthquake.

"I left Lima the night before the earthquake and the temperatures were very low. The thought of these people living with their sorrow and pain in these freezing conditions is extremely sad.

"So many buildings, schools and homes have collapsed since the earthquake a fortnight ago. Full recovery for the tens of thousands of affected families and their children will take a long time. The photo I took of Diana in 1997 captured a moment in time that can never be repeated. I hope the value of this will be recognised when it is auctioned in aid of Save the Children, whose work is helping children in Peru recover from this disaster," said Testino.

The print, which appeared in the 1997 Vanity Fair and on the invitations to the memorial concert organised by Prince Harry and Prince William, is one of the first iconic images of the Princess to be published.

Save the Children has launched a global appeal for children in Peru.