England rugby win boosts Make-a-Wish Foundation's auction income
Howard Lake | 23 November 2003 | News
England’s last-minute win in the Rugby World Cup proved a last-minute boost for the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s auction in London.
Timing is everything, as England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson would no doubt admit. The Make-A-Wish Foundation were particularly fortunate in holding their fundraising auction on the evening of the England Rugby Team’s win against Australia in the World Cup Final.
As a result, an England rugby shirt signed by the winning team went for £20,000 to comedian Mel Smith, and an autographed print of Jonny Wilkinson went for £7,000. There is little doubt the premium value on these lots would have been much reduced had the England team not won.
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The auctioneer at the event, held at the Dorchester Hotel in London’s Park Lane, was disgraced Tory peer Lord Archer.
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.