A Warwickshire company is spearheading an online auction of memorabilia from the world of sport, film and television to raise funds for Combat Stress, the UK’s leading mental health charity for veterans.
The Wigley Group is launching the two-week auction on Saturday, October 10, to coincide with World Mental Health Day.
The property, construction and development firm based at Stockton, Southam, has a proud association with helping military personnel in need, having raised over £120,000 through the Wigley Support Fund.
It is now joining forces with Combat Stress for the first time to support the charity’s life-changing work in helping former servicemen and women overcome complex mental health issues.
The charity, which has been established for over a century, focuses on delivering specialist treatment and support to veterans who have several severe mental health conditions such as complex post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety.
Robert Wigley, chairman of The Wigley Group, said: “We were disappointed not to be able to host our annual golf day this year due to Covid-19 restrictions but still wanted to hold a fundraiser, particularly with charities having been so hard hit by the pandemic.
“We wanted to work with a charity that aligns itself with the values of the Wigley Support Fund, which was set up to support servicemen and women in all areas of their transition from military to civilian life, from physical and mental rehabilitation to further education and skills training.
“Combat Stress is a great cause which helps veterans with complex mental health issues, and we are delighted to be supporting its work by holding an online auction that also coincides with World Mental Health Day.
“We have managed to secure a fantastic array of items from the world of sport, film and television, and hope they will attract a lot of interest which in turn will generate much-needed funds for the charity.”
Over 40 auction items include a football and football boot signed by England’s World Cup hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst, signed photographs of Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher who portrayed Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia in Star Wars movies, and a montage of photographs signed by the cast of hit TV series Game of Thrones.
Photographs signed by Forces’ Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn, Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, and explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes also feature among the lots along with a copy of Monty Python’s Flying Circus: Hidden Treasures book signed by Eric Idle, and a Wasps shirt signed by the first team squad.
Combat Stress has also donated a framed ceramic poppy from the iconic Tower of London art installation.
Robert Marsh, Director of Fundraising at Combat Stress, said: “We are extremely grateful that The Wigley Group have chosen to support Combat Stress and the veterans we treat for complex mental health problems.
“These are challenging times. The anxiety and isolation brought on by the pandemic has been making life even harder for some veterans, and the need for our specialist services remains critical.
“The money raised from this two-week auction will help us to continue delivering these life-changing specialist services to veterans across the UK so they can tackle the past and take on the future.”
The auction is being overseen by Katie Wigley, events co-ordinator at The Wigley Group, and will run on eBid until Friday, October 23. Further information and a full list of lots is available @TheWigleyGroup on Twitter and Facebook.
Katie Wigley and Robert Wigley are pictured with auction items at the headquarters of The Wigley Group.