A TELEVISION presenter is set to open a special charity auction that will be raising money for the Ukraine appeal.
Homes Under The Hammer star Martin Roberts will be opening the bidding for the virtual event taking place next Monday, April 4, with a variety of top prizes on offer.
The items so far include a powerboat driving course, a short holiday, dinners, bed and breakfasts in several hotels, festival tickets, a laptop, branded workwear, a signed AFC Bournemouth shirt, a pool day with lunch, Sunday lunch for six, a health assessment and a massage and fine wines.
Dorset Chamber has organised the event and hopes to raise £10,000 to support the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
Ian Girling, Dorset Chamber chief executive, said: “It is horrific to see the plight of families and communities being ripped apart in Ukraine.
“We wanted to lead the way locally to give businesses a way of making a difference and supporting the aid efforts during this dreadful crisis.
“A massive thank you goes to businesses who have already donated some tremendous items and experiences, but we are seeking even more to raise as much money as we possibly can.
“I hope that as a business community we will do our absolute best to help. One hundred per cent of the money raised will go to the DEC.”
Members and non-members of the chamber are invited to offer lots until the end of March.
The online auction will then be held in April on the Dorset Chamber website with bids open to anyone over a period of weeks in April.
Mr Girling added: “Dorset’s business community is renowned for its community spirit and support in tough times.
“I am sure that we can pull together again to help save lives and alleviate the suffering we are seeing as this crisis continues to deepen.”
The virtual auction will be held from 8.45am to 9am on April 4 and is free to attend via the Dorset Chamber website.
The event will feature a talk from Martin Roberts about his recent mercy mission to the Poland-Ukraine border where he delivered donations from Bournemouth.
Contact Ian Girling on 01202 714800 or email ian.girling@dorsetchamber.co.uk to donate items or find out more.
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