An online silent auction run by Newcastle-based accountants and business advisers, Ryecroft Glenton, has raised £1,300, which will help the children’s charity, Chance UK, launch a new service in the North East.
The auction, which was made possible thanks to a number of generous donations, was hosted on Ryecroft Glenton’s website between 12-23 October. The highest bid received for each of the auction items has been revealed and winners have been awarded their lots.
The funds raised from the auction will help Chance UK establish new social franchises throughout the UK including a programme in partnership with an established children’s organisation in the North East.
Chance UK delivers one-to-one mentoring to primary school children who have behavioural difficulties, many of whom have been excluded from school or are at risk of exclusion at the time of their referral to the charity. These children are at increased risk of getting involved in anti-social behaviour, gang activity and criminal activity later in adolescence and early adulthood.
Chance UK was established in London 20 years ago and operates across six boroughs in the capital. For the last 10 years the charity has operated a series of social franchises around the country, which deliver its programmes, enabling a greater number of children to receive early intervention mentoring support. These social franchises are established and supported through Chance UK’s National Development Programme.
The Chance UK Programme matches each child with an adult volunteer mentor on a one to one basis for a year. The programme helps them improve their behaviour, raise their self-esteem and fulfil their potential. Alongside the mentoring, intensive support is provided to the parents/main carers of the children that they work with.
Auction items included:
· A pair of boxing gloves signed by Amir Khan
· Two VIP tickets for Britain’s Got Talent semi-finals
· Two tickets for Julien Macdonald’s Autumn Winter 2016 Catwalk Show, as part of London Fashion Week
· Scotland Jersey signed by Sir Chris Hoy
· Chelsea FC football signed by the team
· Signed Sunderland AFC shirt
· Country pursuit activity for a group of four
· Dinner for two at Gusto
· 12 bottles of red wine
· Tottenham Hotspur FC flag signed by the team
The items attracted a lot of interest; winners included Colin Elrick, Lee Rorison and Mark Perry, who between them paid £450 for four auction lots.
Carl Swansbury, partner at Ryecroft Glenton, said: “Helping such a worthy charity expand its service provision is a great achievement; the team has worked exceptionally hard to generate auction lots and the subsequent bids – they should be very proud of themselves. The £1,300 has far surpassed our original expectations and we would like to thank everyone who placed a bid. The money raised will go a long way, and we’re looking forward to welcoming Chance UK to the North East.”
Gracia McGrath, chief executive at Chance UK, said: “When you’re running a charity, every penny counts. So, as you can imagine, having a £1,300 donation is something we are extremely grateful for. I, and the team at Chance UK, would like to thank Ryecroft Glenton and those that bid – the money really will help change the lives of young people in the North East, for the better.”