Pitchfork

This just in: both Lily Allen and Bloc Party's Kele Okereke know how to read. And they want other people to know how to read as well. To that end, they've joined the Pitney Bowes Pushing the Envelope 2006 charity auction to raise funds for the UK's National Literacy Trust.

Okereke and Allen are just two of the many writers, actors, musicians, and artists who have jumped onboard PtE, designing one-of-a-kind hand-drawn envelopes for auction. With just under eight days left on the clock, Okereke has earned a bid of £33.00, with Allen following at £19.99. Big winners so far include 2003 Turner Prize winner Grayson Perry (£410.00), former Royal Society of Painter Printmakers president Anita Klein (£255.00), and Gruffallo book series illustrator Axel Scheffler (£205.00).

Also participating are Phil Collins, Kate Winslet, Dame Shirley Bassey, and others.