Shoreham Vehicle Auctions is calling on all south coast used vehicle sellers in the motor trade and consumer market to donate any unwanted vehicles and part-exchanges to its auction for Chestnut Tree House on Monday, November 21.

Now in its sixth year, the Lancing-based auctioneers are looking for all cars, regardless of age, shape, size, with or without an MOT, from dealers across Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey to raise funds for the Arundel-based children’s hospice.

The only hospice of its kind in East and West Sussex and South East Hampshire, Chestnut Tree House cares for 300 children and young adults with progressive life-limiting conditions.

Offering support to their families, this includes psychological and bereavement support, end of life and short break care and sibling support.

Because annual service charges exceed £3m, yet families are never charged for care, the hospice relies heavily on donations, which will also be used to fund community nurses in the local and surrounding areas, allowing children to receive around-the-clock care in the comfort of their own home.

The generosity of the motor trade at last year’s auction was overwhelming, with £13,700 raised thanks to the support of local dealer groups and buyers, enabling total donations from the auction to reach £37,000 since Shoreham started supporting the hospice in 2011.

One dealership donated a vehicle worth £400 that was bought for £1,000 at auction, subsequently donating the proceeds from the sale of that vehicle back into the auction.

Alongside this, Shoreham waived all fees for each vehicle donated and pledged an additional £200 for each vehicle sold, which will continue at this year’s event to try and reach the £20,000 target.

It is also encouraging miscellaneous items to be donated once again, with track days, gift experiences and sporting memorabilia quickly snapped up last year.

Alex Wright, managing director of Shoreham, said: “We are honoured to be supporting Chestnut Tree House once again with our charity auction; the work they carry out is invaluable in supporting children, young people and their families when they need it most.

“After the huge success of last year’s event, we want to push on and maximise donations for this wonderful and noble cause; this is only possible through private and trade outlets donating whatever they can.

"Raising as much as possible for Chestnut Tree House is a personal passion for everyone at Shoreham and we can’t wait to see what goes under the hammer this year.”

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