Fundraiser for beloved late antiques dealer nets £7,000

'Unforgettable Annie; An Evening To Remember'

A CHARITY auction held in the memory of a much-loved Hungerford antiques dealer has raised more than £7,000 for the hospice that cared for her.

Annie Hutchings, a former teacher at St Bartholomew’s School in Newbury, died, aged 60, at Prospect Hospice in Wroughton, Wiltshire, in September 2014.

The former international lacrosse player and coach had been battling ovarian cancer and was admitted to the hospice after receiving the devastating news that she had just weeks to live.

The care that she received there so impressed her widow, Ann Parker, that she organised a formal event at Hungerford Town Hall on the closest date to Annie’s birthday, to raise money in thanks for the hospice’s care.

The pair ran a stall in Hungerford Arcade called The Two Anns and Mrs Parker said: “From the moment Annie arrived, the care that she received at Prospect Hospice was brilliant, and it was a weight off our shoulders, for her and for us all.

“It was important to us both that we were able to be married, and Prospect Hospice made that happen within two days of Annie being admitted. They even brought in a bed so that we could share the room in her final days.”

Determined to give something back, she enlisted support from her wide network of friends and contacts to stage the charity fundraising evening – Unforgettable Annie; An Evening To Remember – at Hungerford Town Hall on October 23.

The formal event, which was attended by 90 people, included a buffet meal prepared by a caterer friend, and an auction of top quality donated lots, which was led by Stewart Hofgartner of Below Stairs antiques and television’s Dickinson’s Real Deal.

Mrs Parker said: “It was a fantastic occasion, with many of the people who came wearing purple, which was Annie’s favourite colour.

“The only shame was that Annie couldn’t be there because she would have loved it – although many people said that it felt as though she was there in spirit.”

Now Mrs Parker has visited Prospect Hospice to present a cheque for £7,023.

The hospice’s area fundraiser Mike Kennedy said: “We’re hugely grateful to Ann and friends for all that they have done to raise funds towards our care and we are so glad that they had such an enjoyable time remembering Annie this way.”

Due to the success of the auction Mrs Parker now intends to hold a similar event next year in memory of her friend, partner and wife to raise further funds for the hospice.

Meanwhile donations can still be made by visiting www.justgiving.com/Margaret-Neville