World-renowned auctioneer Charles Hanson has thrown his weight behind a fundraising effort launched by wife Rebecca to help save lives in Derby.
Rebecca is organising a charity auction to buy a defibrillator for Derby and raise funds to support the city’s army of life-saving St John Ambulance volunteers.
Rebecca, a St John volunteer and medical professional, is passionate about improving healthcare facilities in her home county and decided to arrange for her husband’s business, Hansons Auctioneers, to help.
On Friday November 18 Hansons will host a charity auction at the firm’s global headquarters at Etwall, near Derby. Charles, a familiar face on TV shows such as Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip, will be on the rostrum to oversee the sale of lots – all donated thanks to Rebecca’s hard work.
She said: “The aim of the event is to raise funds to buy a public-access defibrillator. It will be installed at a site between Derby Station and the Derbion shopping centre.
“If we are lucky enough to raise additional funds over the amount needed for the defibrillator, the extra money will go towards training Derby St John volunteers so they can be on hand to help keep people safe at events in and around the city.
“Our St John unit, which is close to where the defibrillator will be located, has around 60 adult volunteers as well as a thriving youth section with Cadets aged 10 to 17 and Badgers aged from five to 10. The adult unit alone provided 12,000 hours of service to the community in 2021.
“Those hours come from time spent providing first aid at events such as football matches as well as supporting the NHS by crewing ambulances and training volunteer vaccinators as part of the nation’s fight against COVID-19.”
Auction lots will include pieces carefully curated by Hansons as well as some extra-special one-off items. Donations will be gratefully received and if anyone has an item or experience they think could fly at auction please contact Rebecca by emailing [email protected] or calling 01283 733988.
Charles Hanson said: “Rebecca has chosen a fantastic life-saving community cause and I hope people across the city – and county – will support her. This charity auction will be extra special with a few surprises thrown in.”
The charity auction will be held on Friday November 18 at Hansons Auctioneers, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire. Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk.
The event will include a short presentation from the St John Ambulance Head of Volunteer Training on the work of the charity within the community.
How to donate
To donate to Derby St John, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/derbyshirecharityauction
Alternatively, text DEFIB to 70460 to donate £5.
