A charity auction broadcast from a garden shed in lockdown by TV personality Charles Hanson has raised around £36,000 for the NHS.
Charles, an auctioneer, antiques expert and familiar face on BBC Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip, decided he just had to do something to help health workers and patients battle Covid-19.
He came up with the idea of running an online auction from his garden shed for the NHS and in less than a week sourced more than 50 lots from members of the public and celebrities including Drew Pritchard from TV’s Salvage Hunters. Drew’s lots romped to success on the night (April 3) bringing in the highest bid.
The sale made a final total of £29,270 on the night – but that has since grown to £36,000. The figure is increasing thanks to donations to a Just Giving page set up to support the sale. Plus Drew Pritchard doubled up his offer of a day out Salvage Hunting which means his lots brought in £8,000. Every penny will be donated to Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity Covid-19 Appeal.
Charles Hanson said: “I’m very proud we managed to make so much money for our amazing health service workers fighting this terrible disease on the frontline. It’s yet another sign of the nation’s deep respect and admiration for them.
“As soon as I revealed my charity shed auction idea I was overwhelmed by the response. Friends from the TV world, members of the public and colleagues from my firm, Hansons Auctioneers, were swift to help. We had so many offers of lot donations we simply couldn’t accommodate them all.
“It was tough to co-ordinate an online sale so quickly, and to run it from my garden shed was a major technical challenge, but I was determined to make it happen – and happen fast – because our NHS heroes need help now.
“The money will pay for anything from protective clothing and thermometers to tea and biscuits for staff. I’m told a facemask costs £1, well our donation can buy nearly 30,000 masks if that’s what’s needed.”
The top selling lot was a day out salvage/antique shopping with Drew Pritchard which raced to £3,700 in a fierce bidding battle. His iconic cap brought in another £480. His decision, post-auction, to offer another day out with him to an under bidder saw his lot donations net a phenomenal £8,000.
Drew said: “I was very impressed by what Charles was doing and really wanted to help. It’s very important to support the NHS.”
Nev the blacksmith and Drew Pritchard.
Familiar faces from Salvage Hunters: The Restorers also backed the cause. Nev Morris the blacksmith offered a day at his forge which sold for £480 while a day learning from upholsterer Craig Hughes made £520.
Charles said: “Drew’s generosity and support for this auction, together with lots donated by Nev and Craig, went above and beyond anything I could possibly have expected. I can’t thank them enough.”
Renowned Derby metal detectorist Adam Staples also sparked a bidding war. A day out metal detecting with Adam, who helped to uncover a coin hoard potentially worth £5 million in Somerset, soared to £2,100.
Another top lot was donated by auctioneer and TV antique show favourite Charlie Ross. His offer of an auctioneering lesson raised £1,700.
Charles threw in three lots which included BBC Bargain Hunt goodies and his own gavel, tea for four in his garden shed and a VIP day out at Hansons Auctioneers. Together, they brought in £1,770.
Another top lot was a tour around Derbyshire’s Chatsworth House for up to six people accompanied by the Duke of Devonshire. It made £1,550.
“It was fun, it was exhausting, it was different and I just hope everyone who was watching or taking part on our bidding platform Hansonslive, Facebook or Twitter enjoyed the fun,” said Charles.
“My deepest thanks go to everyone who supported the event in any shape or form and also to the NHS staff who inspired us all to go the extra mile for them, just like they do for us.”
To donate to the NHS shed auction Just Giving page, please CLICK HERE
The NHS response to Hansons’ charity shed auction
Tim Diggle, Charity Director, Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity:
“Our NHS needs support now, more than ever and we have been blown away by the outpouring of support for Charles and his fundraising.
We want to extend a huge thank you to the Charles, his supporters and everyone that donated lots for the auction and their hard work. The money raised will go a tremendous way in supporting everyone at team UHDB and we simply cannot thank him, and everyone who donated, enough for their support. Wards are in desperate need of iPads to help patients stay in touch with family while in isolation at the hospital so donations will go towards these, enabling families to stay in touch in these difficult times.
Sarah Guy, Senior Sister and the Medical Assessment Unit at Royal Derby Hospital:
“Donations are so important to our patients as they help contribute to buying equipment that not only will save lives but will make the experience the patient has in our hospitals one that that is positive and safe.”
Dr Samantha Mills, ED Doctor
“Money raised will make such a difference to our hospitals for both our patients and staff, especially at this challenging time. It will help fund the things that will seem like a lifeline to those of us who work on the front line. We know we will get through this together, any help you can give to make hope shine brighter will make all the difference to those of us on this journey.”
