The Benevolent silent auction raises £37k

The Benevolent’s first online silent auction has smashed its fundraising target of £25,000, raising more than £37,000 in one week.

One of the sought after lots was a four-ball round of golf with Oz Clarke and Tim Atkin MW

The drinks trade charity launched its first silent auction, called ‘Thanks for Giving’, on 24 November, running for a week until 1 December.

The auction offered 80 ‘one-of-a-kind’ lots which included luxury wines and spirits and experiences, such as VIP tickets to Royal Ascot, a four-ball round of golf with Oz Clarke and Tim Atkin MW, a behind-the-scenes tour of The Royal Academy and VIP access to the Graham Norton Show.

The charity had hoped to raise at least £25,000, but smashed its target by raising £37,700, which will go toward funding its support for members of the UK drinks trade facing financial, emotional or physical hardship.

Other highlights included a private lunch or dinner for four at Berry Bros & Rudd, a massive 15L Nebuchadnezzar of Jacquart Champagne, tickets to Arsenal FC or a VIP private tour Thames Distillers in London, with many of the lots donated by the drinks trade themselves. UK wine merchant Farr Vintners donated a very generous £10k at the start of the auction.

“This was an inaugural initiative for the charity and I am simply astonished by its success,” said David Cox, chief executive of The Benevolent.

“Not only have those companies and individuals who donated auction lots been incredibly generous but I have been overjoyed by the generosity of our participants, especially the fantastic kick-off donation from Farr Vintners. This epitomises the spirit of camaraderie and benevolence that we know exists in our wonderful trade and it endorses the willingness we all have to help those less fortunate”.

The Benevolent is a charity for members of the UK drinks trade, past and present, providing practical, emotional and financial support.

For more information on The Benevolent visit www.thebenevolent.org.uk