TV auctioneer raises £30,000 for NHS in Derbyshire back garden auction

Charles Hanson with his gavel outside his garden shed.

Charles, an auctioneer, antiques expert and familiar face on BBC Bargain Hunt and Antiques Road Trip, decided he just had to do something to help health workers and patients battle covid-19.

He came up with the idea of running an online auction from his garden shed for the NHS and in less than a week sourced more than 50 lots from members of the public and celebrities including Drew Pritchard from Salvage Hunters.

The sale made a final total of £29,270. That figure was enhanced by public donations of more than £600, still growing, on a JustGiving page set up to support the sale.

Every penny will be donated to Derby and Burton Hospitals charity covid-19 appeal.

Charles Hanson said: “I’m very proud we managed to make so much money for our amazing health service workers fighting this terrible disease on the frontline. It’s yet another sign of the nation’s deep respect and admiration for them.

“As soon as I revealed my charity shed auction idea I was overwhelmed by the response. Friends from the TV world, members of the public and colleagues from my firm, Hansons Auctioneers, were swift to help. We had so many offers of lot donations we simply couldn’t accommodate them all.

“It was tough to co-ordinate an online sale so quickly, and to run it from my garden shed was a major technical challenge, but I was determined to make it happen – and happen fast – because our NHS heroes need help now.

“The money will pay for anything from protective clothing and thermometers to tea and biscuits for staff.”

The top selling lot was a day out salvage/antique shopping with Drew Prichard, which was contested to £3,700. His iconic cap brought in another £480.

Drew said: “I was very impressed by what Charles was doing and really wanted to help. It’s very important to support the NHS right now.”

Renowned Derby metal detectorist Adam Staples also sparked a bidding battle. A day out metal detecting with Adam, who helped to uncover a coin hoard potentially worth £5 million in Somerset, soared to £2,100.

Another top lot was a tour around Derbyshire’s Chatsworth House for up to six people accompanied by the Duke of Devonshire. It sold for £1,550.