Pictured: Ben Gamble 

Thriving local auction house, Cuttlestones, has named Katharine House Hospice its 'charity of the year' for 2012, having already helped raise over £2,800 for the hospice by selling items donated by supporters in its December Fine Art Sale.

The progressive auctioneers and valuers aims to raise funds through a variety of endeavours in 2012. The programme of events will include quizzes, valuation days, a wine tasting and the sale of items on behalf of generous Katharine House supporters who wish to donate them for auction. Cuttlestones auctioneer, Dave Eglington, will also be going the extra mile for the charity by training hard to take part in a sponsored Triathlon later this year. MD and head auctioneer, Ben Gamble, says:

"We're keen to support local causes and, as Katharine House Hospice provides such an essential service to the community, it was the natural choice for our first charity of the year. We recently visited the hospice and were hugely impressed not only by the standard of residential care provided but by the wide range of services it offers alongside; such as the home care team, day care unit, carers' group and Lymphodema Clinic. Because the hospice provides these services to the community for free, fundraising is essential and we aim to raise £10,000 over this year to support it in its vital work."

Kelly Day is the Corporate Fundraiser for Katharine House and is delighted at the commitment that Cuttlestones has pledged to the hospice for 2012:

"We are delighted that Cuttlestones has pledged to raise £10,000 for the Hospice; this wonderful amount would run the inpatient unit for nearly 5 days which is incredible and will make a real difference to the lives of local people and their families."

Further details on the progress of Cuttlestones' planned events and fundraising efforts in support of Katharine House Hospice will be posted on the company's website over the coming months - www.cuttlestones.co.uk