People from across Norfolk are being invited to help celebrate a healthcare unit’s special link with its Ethiopian ‘twin’ by bidding for a variety of top prizes at a special charity auction.

Norwich’s Priscilla Bacon Centre, which is run by Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C), will hold the auction of promises on Saturday, October 11 2014 to raise funds for Hospice Ethiopia, which will use the money to improve vital end-of-life care in Africa. Thanks to the generosity of local people and businesses, a total of 66 lots will go under the hammer during the event, which takes place at the Bishop’s Palace in Norwich.

They include dinner, bed and breakfast at the Lighthouse in Thornham, a tour of the BBC Look East and BBC Radio Norfolk studios, with the chance to sit in on the afternoon radio show, and a day spent beekeeping and gaining and insight into the world of the honey bee.

A week in a caravan at Wells, homemade greetings cards, leisure and cinema passes, haircuts, dinner for two, the use of a limousine service and the chance to join Norman Lamb MP for tea and a tour of the House of Commons will also be auctioned during the evening.

The fundraiser has been arranged after the Priscilla Bacon Centre formally linked with Hospice Ethiopia through a twinning programme in 2011, making it easier for staff to share best practice while improving palliative care for patients in Africa.

The auction is the latest in a long line of charity events organised by staff at the centre, who have raised more than £15,000 in their own time through sponsored walks and other activities to enhance the care their colleagues in Africa are able to provide. In addition, NCH&C staff have also shared their knowledge and expertise by completing educational visits to Hospice Ethiopia, which cares for patients with HIV, AIDS and cancer in their own homes.

Dr Katie Soden, Lead Consultant at NCH&C’s Priscilla Bacon Centre, said: “We are extremely grateful for the wonderful support we have received for the auction from local people and businesses, who have generously donated a huge variety of lots for the auction. There really will be something for everyone on the night, from football sessions, tennis coaching and theatre tickets to a specially tailored one-to-one session to help prepare for a university interview.

“Our colleagues in Ethiopia are facing a lack of funding, so need as much support as possible to continue providing care to patients within the community. Our staff have worked extremely hard in their own time to support the charity since the twinning in 2011, and have held some fantastic events to raise much-needed funds.

“We hope the auction will continue this trend by raising as much as possible for Hospice Ethiopia so that they can continue to deliver essential care to vulnerable people as they reach the end of their lives.”

The event begins at 7pm with a talk from local cheesemaker Catherine Temple, with the auction due to start at around 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at £5, to include a catalogue of the promises, glass of wine and cheese. Spaces are limited to 90, and anyone who would like to come should email [email protected]

For more information about Hospice Ethiopia, visit www.hospiceethiopia.com

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including our Original 1896 Recipe Sausages