**Cheffins press release**
Cheffins has raised £30,610 for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT). The timed online charity auction was held to support funding for the charity’s COVID-19: Fast Response Fund which has been set up to help Addenbrooke’s Hospital with whatever they need during the coronavirus emergency crisis.
The auction, which was online for a week, featured some 40 lots available for people to bid on. There were a number of ‘money can’t buy’ items such as the chance to have your name used as a character in the next Jeffrey Archer novel and the opportunity for a party of friends to enjoy a champagne reception and private dinner with the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of the City of London in their private apartments in Mansion House.
As was to be expected, there was some frantic last-minute bidding in the final minutes before the auction closed at 9pm on Friday. A Lithograph by Sir Antony Gormley OBE entitled ‘Future’, was the top lot and sold to one lucky bidder for £5,500.
Martin Millard, Director, says: “Cheffins has a long history of working with charities and organisations within our local communities. The decision to host the auction for the benefit of ACT during this period of national emergency is our way of supporting our local hospital and the NHS staff and key workers here in Cambridge. We are utterly dependant on our Addenbrooke’s Hospital and its staff for the care of our friends, colleagues and everyone in the area who may contract coronavirus. The proceeds from the auction will help to support the funds needed by Addenbrooke’s in the front-line war against this pandemic.”
“We would also like to thank everyone who donated lots for this online auction, and those who took the time to register and bid – we could not have done this without their help, generosity and expediency. Raising over £30,000 for Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust is testament to the high regard we all have for the NHS.”
Shelly Thake, CEO at ACT adds: “We are all absolutely thrilled with Cheffins’ support for our staff at Addenbrooke’s. The support the local community is showing our hospital is inspiring! These funds will help staff at the frontline, research and patient care.”