A unique charity auction was held at the Queen’s Royal Hotel, New Brighton fronted by TV auctioneer John Crane, and raised £2500.
Items ‘that money can’t buy’ such as a booze-up in a brewery and a walk-on part in a musical play at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre were up for grabs alongside an antique grandfather clock, a holiday in a luxury Turkish resort and many more.
All the money raised went towards the Wirral Autistic Society’s recently launched Lifetime Appeal aimed at totally renovating their residential facilities at Raby Hall. The appeal received its first major private donation of £7,500 from owner of the Queen’s, Mike Rice. It has now received a further donation of £10,000 from West Wallasey Van Hire who are also sponsoring the auction.
The evening auction, held on Friday March 15, also included live entertainment from Jimmy Rae and John Jones. John Crane, from Heswall who runs Cato Crane Auctioneers in Liverpool and fellow auctioneers from Kinglsey Galleries, Hoylake and the Wirral Auction Centre, Birkenhead were available, giving free valuations on any items of interest.
The Queen’s adopted the Autistic Society more than a year ago and have helped raise thousands of pounds. Mr Rice said: “We lined up some really interesting items to auction and were delighted with the attendance for the free valuations. It was a great fun night.”
