Auction pulls in cash to cheer up sick kids (From Swindon Advertiser)

Auction pulls in cash to cheer up sick kids

11:00am Friday 8th February 2013 in News By Scott D'Arcy

A CANCER charity which gives gifts to young children battling the disease has launched an urgent appeal for donations.

Fatboy’s Cancer Charity, set up in memory of former Swindon police officer Mike “Fatboy” Lawless, who died of cancer in 1999, is preparing for its annual fund-raiser next month but they are in desperate need of donations to auction off.

So far Fatboys has raised more than £100,000 and helped hundreds of children and their families, mainly by buying Christ-mas presents, such as iPads and laptops, for children suffering from cancer, leukaemia, or other serious illness.

Donations are also made to cancer-related charities, such as Macmillan, and to cancer units in hospitals.

But ahead of the event, called the Day Of Lawless-ness, Ian Stevenson said the charity need donations that have the X-Factor and will attract big bids.

He said: “Our main fund-raiser is the Annual Day Of Lawlessness, which encompasses our charity auction.

“Each year we try to be even more inventive in how we procure and present our auction prizes.

“But, as the recession bites, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find those special prizes that secure the bigger donations in bids.

“We are really struggling now – we have about ten prizes at the moment and many of those are ones people from the charity have bought themselves.

“None of them are particularly big and they are a bit average.

“We would love to have some local businesses donating those money-can’t-buy prizes, like experiences, so we can try and raise the £6,000 to £8,000 we normally do.

“If someone can help, or they know anyone who might be able to help by donating a prize or gift for our charity auction please, please get in touch.

“Time is running out for this year.”

The Day Of Lawlessness will take place on Friday, March 8 and will start with Wiltshire Police’s rugby team trying to win back the shield they lost to a Lawless XV last year at Swindon RFC’s Greenbridge ground from 2pm.

An evening function will take place The Furnace, in Commercial Road, with music from The Lawless, The Schematics and Led Balloon, as well as the charity auction.

Entry costs £5 and for information or to book email tickets@fatboyscharity.co.

uk. To donate email ian@ fatboyscharity.co.uk.