She said: "Bids for a first edition Harry Potter currently on Ebay are up to $3,500 so we are hoping we will raise a lot of money for the hospice. JK Rowling contacted us through a third party to donate the book and she said she will be following the auction on Ebay."

J K Rowling donated this 1st Edition Signed copy of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince to The Peace Hospice specifically to raise funds to care for The terminally ill of South West Hertfordshire, an area close to her heart as she has family members there. J K Rowling has agreed to sign a letter of authenticity and personalise it to the winning bidder, so not only will you own the book but you will have a letter personally addressed to you! The Peace Hospice is especially grateful to J K Rowling for this donation and the funds it will raise as this year, for the first time ever the Hospice has a deficit of £250,000.00. A little birdie told us J K Rowling will be watching this auction closely to check how the book is doing so we take this opportunity to thank her for her support. Happy bidding and remember all the money raised will go straight to caring for people with life limiting illnesses.