Audrey Hepburn auction raises $177,000 for needy children

NEW YORK (AP) _ She favored Givenchy ball gowns, traveled with Louis Vuitton luggage and wore Lacoste polo shirts during visits to some of the world's poorest villages. <br><br>On Monday evening, admirers

Tuesday, April 22nd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) _ She favored Givenchy ball gowns, traveled with Louis Vuitton luggage and wore Lacoste polo shirts during visits to some of the world's poorest villages.

On Monday evening, admirers of the late Audrey Hepburn had the chance to take home some of the Oscar-winning actress' personal effects and other donated items at a Sotheby's charity, which raised $177,000.

Hepburn's son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer, said the money would be used to support the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund, which was founded in 1994, a year after she died, and works with the U.S. fund for UNICEF.

Before Hepburn's death from colon cancer at the age of 63, she served as an ambassador for UNICEF, raising awareness of children's issues around the world.

Among the items on auction were a Givenchy ball gown worn by the doe-eyed actress in the 1957 film ``Funny Face,'' which sold for $17,000, and a new collection of 25 multicolor Lacoste shirts, which sold for $2,000. The sculpture ``Spirit of Audrey,'' by the artist John Kennedy, sold for $6,000.

Hepburn won an Oscar in the 1953 film ``Roman Holiday'' and achieved icon status as Holly Golightly in the 1961 movie ``Breakfast at Tiffany's.''