A Caerphilly-based auction house is waiving its fees to help an aspiring midwife raise money for a trip to Africa.
Teenager Heather Cody is aiming to raise £2,820 to cover the cost of a trip to Tanzania for a work placement at a maternity hospital.
Heather is also arranging to volunteer to work in the orphanage affiliated to the hospital in her spare time during the two-week placement.
To hit her target, Heather wrote to a host of celebrities and sports personalities who then donated signed memorabilia for her to auction off.
Helping her shift the goods is Caerphilly Auctions, based on the town’s Western Industrial Estate.
The online auctioneers have agreed to waive their fees to give Heather a welcome boost for her planned trip next month.
Among the items for sale are signed pictures of comedian Jo Brand, Bradley Walsh and Prime Minister David Cameron.
Heather also managed to secure a walk-on part as an extra in ITV comedy drama Doc Martin.
A kind-hearted bidder bought the experience, but instead of taking it for themselves, donated it back to Heather so that she could meet the cast and crew of the hit television series.
Derek Bartle, of Caerphilly Auctions, met Heather’s mother through his work as a magistrate sitting in Cardiff and was happy to help the aspiring midwife.
He said: “Caerphilly Auctions are pleased to support such a motivated young lady.”
Heather is set to leave for Tanzania on October 28 and return to the UK on November 8.
Her auction ends on October 2 and any money raised beyond what is needed will go towards buying the hospital much-needed supplies. For more information please visit www.caerphillyauctions.co.uk.
This is a fantastic thing to do. I would like to get that signed picture of David Cameron for future collection.