Newtownabbey-based Wilson Auctions is hosting a series of live online auctions on Friday 1 May to help charities raise donations, as fundraising events been cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis.
The Bid For Kindness initiative will allow people at home to place charity bids on a wide range of items put forward by celebrities and charitable donors, to raise funds for their charities of choice.
All proceeds raised will be donated directly to the charities involved.
Lots scheduled to be auctioned include custom artwork pieces, food and wine experiences, opportunities to receive personal virtual greetings from celebrities and sporting memorabilia from the worlds of football, boxing, golf, and rugby.
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Celebrity supporters include former Irish rugby star Tommy Bowe and broadcaster Eamonn Holmes, who commented: “This awful virus has affected our lives in so many ways, and it’s also affected the ability of so many charities to be able to raise funds and do the work that they do.
“That’s why taking part in this auction is so important and so valued. Bidding early, bidding often, and bidding the most you can, will help so many other people.”
A Carl Frampton signed boxing glove will be up for grabs in the online auction
British and Irish charities to benefit from the online auction include The NHS Foundation, NSPCC, Marie Curie, Mencap Northern Ireland, Cancer Fund for Children, Northern Ireland Hospice, Mary Peters Trust, Marie Keating Foundation and The Irish Guards Benevolent Fund.
Rebecca Wilson, Director and Auctioneer at Wilson Auctions said: “We realised that all charities would be greatly affected by what is happening with the global pandemic and we felt that by holding this charity auction it would help bring in much needed funds.
“Everyone is welcome to register and bid at this auction event and it couldn’t be easier to do so.”
Full listings of the inaugural Bid For Kindness initiative can browsed on the Wilsons Auctions website, where bidders can also register in advance for the live event.
The organisers are still appealing to charities across the UK and Ireland to contact the team if they feel they could benefit from getting involved.
Members of the public and potential donors are further encouraged to put forward their own contributions to benefit their charities of choice for future sales.
Please e-mail abidforkindness@wilsonsauctions.com for further info.
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Source: Written from press release
