Nelly Selling Off Jewels For Charity

Hip-hop star Nelly is selling off a range of bejewelled items to raise more cash for leukaemia sufferers.

The HOT IN HERRE rapper, who recently announced plans to auction off two Pimp Juice promotional vehicles for the same cause, has joined forces with upscale designer JUDITH LEIBER to create a range of accessories to be auctioned off tonight (05MAY05) in New York City.

Nelly, real name CORNELL HAYNES, says, "All of the proceeds go to my non-profit organisation. They made a HELLO KITTY bag. It retails at $125,000 (GBP65,789) and is all diamonds.

"We actually have an opening bid of $50,000 from Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee. All the money goes to charity."

As well as fighting leukaemia, the cash raised tonight will also go towards the education of inner-city youths.

The rapper's sister, JACKIE DONAHUE, passed away on 24 March (05) after a long battle with the disease.