On Thursday 9 May, a special auction was held at Bellmans Auctioneers at Wisborough Green in aid of Worthing-based charity, Care for Veterans, and raised a total of £16,279. This unique, one-off auction was held as part of the charity’s centenary celebrations.
Lots at the auction included holidays, driving experiences, works of art, and money-can’t-buy items, such as having a character named after you in a future Peter James novel and a reception at the crime scene of the Hatton Garden robbery. Guests were welcomed by a drinks and canapés reception, and were entertained by magician, Tony Charles, who performed some brilliant close-up tricks and illusions. The auction was undertaken by Bellmans’ auctioneer, Philip Belcher, who guided bidders through the 60 Lots on offer and did an amazing job.
Care for Veterans’ Head of Fundraising and Marketing, Elizabeth Baxter, said,
“We are extremely grateful to everyone who came to our auction and helped to raise this incredible amount of money. I’d also like to give special thanks to Philip Belcher and everyone at Bellmans for their hard work, and for helping to make the auction as successful as it was. Thanks also to Sussex Life for their support and to all who so generously donated the 60 amazing Lots on offer. Thanks to the generosity of these donors and Bellmans, who waived all their commission fees, 100% of the money raised will go towards the vital care and rehabilitation of the disabled veterans at Care for Veterans.”
Photos by Graham Franks Photography, owned by Care for Veterans
About Care for Veterans
Care for Veterans (formerly The Queen Alexandra Hospital Home) was established in 1919 – the charity celebrates its centenary this year.
Care for Veterans is a registered charity, providing care and rehabilitation for physically disabled ex-Service personnel and their families. Our residents’ needs are complex and many have multiple disabilities. Many have an Acquired Brain Injury and some have neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s or Multiple Sclerosis. Others are paralysed or do not have use of their limbs and some are terminally ill. We support on average 140 residents a year.
We care for up to 60 residents at any one time.
Our residents are aged between 34 and 100.
Our residents represent the tri-services: Royal Navy, Army and RAF.
Services at Care for Veterans include nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, an active social and recreation department, rehabilitation kitchen, a chaplaincy service, counselling, IT facilities, a rehabilitation garden, sensory room, coffee shop and function room and regular outings on our specially adapted coach.
With no regular government funding, Care for Veterans must raise over £1.9 million each year to maintain its nursing and rehabilitation services for ex-Servicemen and women.
