Final whistle beckons for Rio ball auction
There are just hours to go before a football signed by former England captain-turned-boxer Rio Ferdinand goes under the hammer to raise money for a cancer charity.
The ball is being auctioned tomorrow by Ferdinand's boxing trainer, Telford-born former world champion Richie Woodhall.
The proceeds from the sale of the Manchester United ball will go to The Harry Johnson Trust, which helps children in Shropshire and mid Wales who are being treated for cancer.
The auction, at Halls main auction house in Bowmen Way, Shrewsbury, starts at 10am.
The Manchester United ball can be viewed an hour before the start of the sale. If you can't make the auction in person it is possible to either bid online, or lodge a maximum bid with the auctioneer. To bid online, you will need to register on www.the-saleroom.com/halls before the start of the auction.
To place a maximum bid with the auctioneer, please telephone 01743 450700.
Richie holds regular auctions for cancer charities in memory of his father Len, who died from the disease in 2015 at the age of 75.
The Harry Johnson Trust has raised £200,000 to support children being treated for cancer at Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital, as well as their families, since it was formed three years ago. Harry, who lived with his parents at Vennington, near Shrewsbury, died in July 2014 after being diagnosed with Double Hit non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
The charity provides a “Harry’s Hamper” for each child who is admitted to the cancer unit at Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital, providing essential items such as toiletries which can be forgotten in the rush associated with an unexpected diagnosis
It provides short breaks in the Shropshire area for children who have either been given a terminal diagnosis, or who have been going through a particularly difficult time.
The charity also provides treats and gifts for the youngsters and their brothers and sisters.
Halls has agreed to waive its usual fee for the auction.
