‘Auction of Hope’ to benefit two charities

This April will see Richard Beattie of Beattie Livestock Sales, in conjunction with leading online sales platform MartEye, host a charity agricultural auction in aid of Air Ambulance Northern Ireland (AANI) and Cancer Fund for Children, aiming to raise £20,000.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Mar 2021, 12:00 BST
Richard BeattieRichard Beattie
Richard Beattie

The idea came about from Air Ambulance NI’s Agribusiness Group whose purpose is to promote and profile the work of Air Ambulance NI while raising vital funds to help sustain the service for the people across Northern Ireland.

Group member, Libby Clarke, approached Richard Beattie of MartEye to ask if it would be possible to organise a charity auction and alongside Richard’s chosen charity, Cancer Fund for Children, the event will now take place on Friday, April 16.

The Air Ambulance service brings urgent medical assistance to anywhere in the province, operating seven days a week for 12 hours per day. It can get to anywhere in Northern Ireland in approximately 25 minutes.

Cancer Fund for Children needs to raise £2.4 million each year to deliver their services and rely heavily on public donations.

Through services including individual support, group support and therapeutic short breaks Cancer Fund for Children empowers, connects and strengthens family members so they feel better equipped to cope with the emotional impact of cancer.

Speaking about the auction, Libby Clarke of the AANI Agribusiness Group said: “Our agribusiness group has secured 100 auction lots and will appeal to both farmers and non-agri, all purse strings and interests.

“We have young goats, luxury weekend stays, a Pedigree Holstein Heifer Calf and a tandem parachute jump for those adventure seekers.

“We really hope everyone will download the MartEye app and join us on Friday, April 16 at 7pm to help raise lots of vital funds for these two incredible charities.

“We also want to send our sincere thanks to all the businesses across Northern Ireland who have donated prizes to the auction amid everything that is going on - they have truly shown their generous spirit and we are so grateful.”

Richard Beattie said: “MartEye was born last year when marts could no longer operate as normal and has brought trade online.

“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.”

The catalogue will be available over the next few weeks online at MartEye website www.marteye.ie and Richards social media platform www.facebook.com/people/Richard-Beattie

Related topics:Northern Ireland