special auction to help save lives in Derby and across the county has raised thousands of pounds.
Hansons Auctioneers hosted the fundraiser at its Etwall headquarters, near Derby, in a bid to buy a new public-access defibrillator to be sited between Derby Station and the Derbion shopping centre.
Thanks to generous donations, bids and support from the public more than £6,500 was raised. Not only did the auction succeed in gaining enough cash to buy the life-saving equipment, excess funds will aid Derby St John Ambulance.
The fundraiser was the brainchild of Rebecca Hanson, a St John volunteer, health professional and wife of Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers.
She said: “I can’t thank people enough for helping us to achieve everything we hoped for. Defibrillators save lives and I’m delighted we now have funds to buy a new one for Derby.
“Thanks to generous auction donations, keen bidding and public support for St John’s Just Giving page, we also raised money to help train Derby St John volunteers. The unit 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. These are the people who step forward in the moments that matter, to save lives and keep communities safe.”
Charles Hanson said: “This event helped to shine the spotlight on the tireless work undertaken by Derby St John volunteers. They give their time to provide first aid at public events such as football matches. They also support the NHS by crewing ambulances and in recent times have trained volunteer vaccinators as part of the nation’s fight against Covid.
“We must also say a big thank-you to everyone who kindly donated auction lots. An avalanche of generosity was shown by individuals and businesses throughout the area. Rebecca and I are very grateful to them all.”
Top sellers included lot 12, a hospitality package for 10 to enjoy a pre-match meal and football match at Burton Albion Football Club donated by club chairman Ben Robinson. It scored with bidders to reach £800.
Also popular was lot 14, a behind-the-scenes Bargain Hunt TV show experience donated by Hansons which was contested to £600. In addition, lot 9, tea and and a tour of Derbyshire’s Tissington Hall with its owner Sir Richard Fitzherbert soared to £500.
Charles said: “It was lovely to see people splashing out on experiences to enjoy life and make memories in 2023.”
The St John Ambulance Auction was held on November 18 at Hansons Auctioneers, Etwall, Derbyshire. To find out more, email [email protected].
