Online auction house John Pye Auctions, backed by celebrities, professional athletes, sports clubs and businesses alike, has raised an incredible £70,000 for charities supporting Covid-19 struck communities.

The firm has held three charity auctions in the last four months from when UK lockdown started: the first with the Robin Hood Fund, the second a national auction across all of John Pye’s sites and the most recent in conjunction with Trent Bridge Cricket Ground. The combined total has generated £70,485 and smashed the company’s aim of raising £50,000 for the entire year.

A range of donors – including Wales’ own Hollywood actor Michael Sheen, Great British Bake-Off judge Prue Leith and international cricket legend Stuart Broad – all donated signed memorabilia lots. Many sports clubs and businesses also donated items and unique experiences.

Some of the star lots from across the auctions include a Good Omen’s poster (pictured) signed by Michael Sheen and David Tennant, which raised an amazing £3,100, alongside a British Moto GP paddock and hospitality package that gathered £1,450 and a very hotly-contested hospitality package for next summer’s Lord’s Test between England and India, which drew a bid of £3,300.

Adam Pye, managing director at John Pye, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the total amount raised as it will do a lot of good for hard hit communities across the UK. There has been an overwhelming amount of support and we’re incredibly grateful to all the individuals and businesses that generously donated items and experiences.”

The charities to benefit include national charity FareShare, Macmillan Cancer Support, Ashgate Hospice, Fairplay, Falkirk Homeless Project, Llamau, Thrive Women’s Aid, Who Dares Cares, the Trent Bridge Community Trust, the Nottingham branch of Guru Nanak’s mission and The Robin Hood Fund.

James Persad, head of marketing and campaigns at FareShare, said: “The money raised will do a huge amount of good – getting vital food supplies onto the plates of those who are most in need during this crisis. Thank you to everyone who so generously donated prizes, the bidders, and to John Pye Auctions.”

Michael Temple, commercial manager at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, added: “We were delighted with the outcome of the national charity cricket auction, which we hope to make an annual event given the reach and support garnered by John Pye. The proceeds of the auction far exceeded our expectations and will make a considerable difference to the charities we are supporting.”

Adam added: “We’re delighted to have helped so many charities across the UK during what has been a difficult time for many. We’re hoping to hold more charity auctions this year to help further smash our targets, in particular another sport focused auction, so we are looking for sports clubs and organisations to get involved. If this sounds of interest, then please get in touch!”

John Pye has five main auction hubs across England, Scotland and Wales and holds more than 900 auctions a year across the UK, working on behalf of UK banks, finance houses, government authorities, insolvency practitioners, property agents & retail plcs.

To find out more about John Pye Auctions and the comprehensive services it offers visit www.johnpye.co.uk or join the conversation on Twitter @John_Pye.

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