An auction held in aid of the Air Ambulance Northern Ireland is set to be one of the region's biggest ever rural charity auctions.
Richard Beattie of Beattie Livestock Sales said the air ambulance fundraiser is the biggest charity auction he has ever worked on.
The ‘Auction of Hope’ will take place this Friday (April 16) at 7:00pm and aims to raise money to support two local charities - Air Ambulance NI (AANI) and Cancer Fund for Children.
The auction - which will be hosted via online sales platform MartEye - has been organised by the new Air Ambulance NI Agribusiness Group.
The group has managed to secure more than 150 highly sought-after lots from businesses across Northern Ireland.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Libby Clarke said: “We are so excited to share this catalogue of items with the NI public and help raise funds for these two incredible charities. Our agribusiness group has secured over 150 auction lots and will appeal to both farmers and non-agri, all purse strings and interests.
"We really hope everyone will download the MartEye app and join us online on Friday, April 16 at 7.00pm. Sincere thanks once again to all those businesses who have supported this auction, we are honestly overwhelmed by the generosity of people who have contacted each of us in the Agribusiness Group wanting to donate what they can.
"There is an exciting range of items on offer including; a pedigree blue lamb; a pedigree Holstein heifer calf; goats; various weekend and week-long staycations; a range of livestock feed and bedding; cooking demo tasting and drinks pairing in your home with Paula McIntyre; and wonderful vouchers for afternoon teas, fashion boutiques, helicopter rides, parachute jumps.
"I would encourage everyone to get on and have a look, it’ll be a great night!”
Richard Beattie of Beattie Livestock Sales said: “Already thousands of sales have been held for the benefit of the farming community and I am sure that they will dig deep to help two loved charities when usual fundraising events have been cancelled.
"A lot of hard work has been put into securing all the auction lots and organising the auction, and it will be a busy night- but we’re ready for it.”
The catalogue can now be viewed online here.
Although the group cannot accept any more lot donations for this auction, any monetary donations to the auction in support of both charities are most welcome and can be made by contacting Libby Clarke on: 07775584884.
