Ian stages charity birthday party and auction to say thanks

Ian Bell

Student Ian's birthday bash set to bring in thousands for Spinal Research Agricultural student Ian Bell, who was left paralysed following a road accident, is aiming to raise more than £10,000 for Spinal Research at a special auction and party to mark his 30th birthday.

Through the auction and birthday party he wants to say thanks to all those who have supported him and in turn raise funding for the UK based charity, Spinal Research, which is dedicated to raising money for the cause.

Ian, son of Kirkby Stephen based Harrison & Hetherington auctioneer Stuart Bell and his wife Janet, was left paralysed from the chest down following a road accident in December 1999.

Ian is currently working on his thesis to complete a MSc in dairy nutrition and management at Harper Adams University College, Shropshire where he will hold his birthday party on July 5 with an invited gathering of between 400 and 500 people.

As many as 26 items have been donated for the auction and those not attending the party can make telephone bids. Included in the donations are a trip to Australia to see the Rugby World Cup, holidays in the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Sussex, the Isle of Man and Herefordshire, various day's events- grouse shooting, pheasant shooting and trout fishing, a hot air balloon ride, a flying lesson, a canoe adventure in the Wye Valley, a tour around the Ford World Rally Championship team, one day cricket tickets, food and drink including a hamper, a signed mounted England cricket photograph, two (R Hayton) pedigree Bluefaced Leicester lambs and the offer of five Swaledale ewes to be tupped at Long Green.

Harrison & Hetherington has given a Border Fine Arts Under the Hammer specially-commissioned limited edition model which features Charolais cattle in the ring at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.

" I wanted to combine what I did with fund raising for Spinal Research which has no Government funding and offers some optimism for people with spinal injuries," said Ian.

Auctioneers for the sale are to include Stuart Bell, Harrison & Hetherington auctioneer Ted Ogden and Bernie Hutchinson, from Market Drayton.

Anyone who would like to make telephone bids or with donations for the auction, whatever their value, can contact Ian on 01952 815441

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