Woman auctions her name on eBay

All in the name of charity

13 November 2008 17:14 GMT / By Katie Scott

A British woman could soon be officially called Pudsey Bear after she auctioned her name on eBay.

Eileen de Bont (which is a name to remember) set up the auction to raise vash for Children in Need.

The top bidder will get the right to change Eileen's name to one in a list of 50 which included Marge Simpson and Pat Butcher from Eastenders.

There have already been 12 bids but there's time for more as the auction does not formally close until Sunday at 1451.

At the top of the bid list is £5000 from the UK Deed Poll Service, who want her to change her name to Pudsey Bear - the cuddly Children in Need mascot.

The dental assistant has agreed to give half of the money to charity and the other half will go to her children.

As evidence that she has gone through with the name change (which will be in place for a year), she will send the top bidder the original deed.

Marc Phillips, Head of BBC Children in Need in Wales, was delighted by Ms De Bont selfless act : "We are always amazed at the originality of people who devise new fundraising methods, particularly when the action can have long term personal implications for the fundraiser".