A FULLY equipped de-luxe motorhome for a week, with fuel to go as far as Europe, is one of ten items to be auctioned on Friday, November 15 in aid of carers of all ages.

Many items of the items donated by generous-hearted local businesses to raise money for the charity Carer Support South Lakes are not usually for sale, such as hotelier James Alexander taking two people to lunch at Powis Castle in his private jet.

British Life Photographer of the Year winner Amy Bateman, a Kendal farmer, has donated an image of a Herdwick sheep.

Other lots include two tickets with camping for the 2020 Kendal Calling music festival; bed, breakfast and champagne afternoon tea at the Daffodil Hotel, Grasmere; a Land Rover Jaguar experience; a signed Manchester City FC shirt; a helicopter ride for six; a football boot signed by Liverpool FC’s James Milner; and an embroidered wall hanging from Kendal’s Karma West.

Bill Nelson from 1818 Auctioneers, based at J36 Rural Auction Centre, at Crooklands, will be putting the items under the hammer at next week’s Carer Support South Lakes autumn ball in the hope of raising £3,000 to £5,000. He will bid on behalf of anyone not in the room.

With 230 guests, the sell-out event at the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal is almost double the size of last year’s ball.

The proceeds will be used to continue Carer Support South Lakes’ vital services. Based at Stricklandgate House in Kendal, the organisation helps anyone who is overwhelmed or isolated because of their caring responsibilities. It says there are 12,000 carers in South Lakeland, from as young as five to 80-plus.

“We can’t thank local businesses enough for responding in this way,” said the charity’s Marian Graveson, “from E S Hartley with their motorhome for a week, to Kentdale Land Rover and Kendal’s podiatry and chiropody clinic, SIDAS.”

She added: “These unique lots include exclusive experiences and things you can’t usually buy. They would make a very thoughtful Christmas gift.”

People can leave a commission bid with Marian by emailing her at marian@carersupportsouthlakes.org.uk with their full name, address, a contact telephone number, the lot number and a maximum bid before midday on Wednesday, November 13.

To find out more, see the website at carersupportsouthlakes.org.uk/fundraising-events/