Auction raises more than £3k for families

An auction in Skegness has raised thousands of pounds to help support young families in need on the Lincolnshire coast.

The auction of promises took place at The Vine Hotel, in Vine Road, last Saturday, in aid of Home-Start Lincolnshire.

The Home-Start charity supports families with younger children that may be experiencing difficulties for a range of reasons, including post-natal illness, disability, bereavement, sickness of a parent or child, social isolation, or simply because of the demands of new parenthood.

Last year, it helped almost 100 children and their families in the Skegness area alone.

Last Saturday’s auction saw bids flow in for lots such as aeroplane flights, afternoon tea, golf days and craft workshops.

Professional auctioneer Jonathan Booth, from Hunters, in Roman Bank, Skegness, donated his time for the cause and brought the hammer down on bids totalling £3,697 for Home-Start families on the coast.

Home-Start’s Fiona Griffin said the event would not have been possible without the help of the Rotary Club of Skegness.

She said: “We’re so grateful to the Rotary and Andrew Quickfall in particular for helping us get the auction off the ground.

“Around half of the promises have been donated or sourced by Rotary members and included some of the most exciting lots, such as a motorcycle experience, a weekend break, a dinner party in your own home for 10 guests, various days out and even a flight in a light aircraft.”

In addition to the Rotary Club of Skegness, Home-Start Lincolnshire also gave thanks to all those who attended the event and donated to the cause by bidding for auction lots, The Vine Hotel for use of its room, and Jonathan Booth for acting as auctioneer.

For more information on the charity, call 01507 522200.