Join Paul Martin flogging it! for dogs

Star of ‘Flog it!’, animal lover Paul Martin will be bringing the gavel down to raise money at an auction in aid of Friends of the Strays of Greece at the Meridien Milano Showrooms (B11 8QE)  in Bournemouth on Saturday 14 November. 

It promises to be an entertaining evening.

Paul is patron of the Ashley Heath run charity, which funds emergency veterinary treatment, feeding programs and shelters for stray and abandoned animals in Greece and its islands.  He is a keen supporter of animal welfare and regularly attends the charity’s events.  This time he is on home ground – auctioning many of the 100 plus lots at a glamorous venue which will be combined with a ‘silent’ auction over a glass of wine.  Tickets are £5 each including a glass of wine and a catalogue.

What’s on offer?

Want to test drive a Ferrari? Escape for a week to a luxury log cabin on the Isle of Lewis? Or a weekend away in Noss Mayo? Perhaps you’d like a flying lesson?  Or a portrait of your pet either in oils by professional artist Kathy Lewis or a photographic portrait; a bungee jump or a signed ‘nodding dog’ from Paul O’Grady.  Also on offer: a load of logs, garden maintenance, 2 tickets for Bournemouth ‘Eye’ and a Christmas hamper.  For the more practical present hunter, a coffee maker, a garden planter for the spring or a bottle of Glenmorangie Single malt or a weekend’s boarding for your cat or dog.   In fact, something for everyone and every pocket!

Lyn Purden, who founded Strays of Greece, comments: “Instead of rushing around the shops and hunting for ideas – we have the ideas in front of you! You needn’t feel guilty about spending because you will be helping to save the destitute and injured dogs and cats, that are seen everywhere in Greece, from a life of misery. We have received a lot of phone calls this year from tourists in Greece distressed at the number of stray animals injured or in poor condition.  We try to put them in touch with the nearest shelter we know of.

“Ours is a charity without staff – everyone is a volunteer.  So money raised goes to funding animal veterinary care, food and medicine and supporting several animal shelters in different parts of Greece.  On a recent visit we took over a van full of food (kindly donated at our dog walk) and brought back 9 rescued dogs to good homes.  Volunteer vets, whose flights we fund, have just returned from neutering and spaying 150 dogs and cats and vaccinating them.  It is all part of our ongoing work.

“We are grateful to everyone who has supported us in this difficult financial year – and we know from our previous auction, at which Paul kindly officiated, that we’re in for a wonderful evening. I’m so grateful to him for his time, and to Meridien Milano for the use of their showroom."

If you would like tickets, which need to be booked in advance because of demand, they are obtainable by contacting Lyn Purden on – 01425 478757 or Celia Marker on 01425 472672.  Tickets are £5 and include a glass of wine and a catalogue. Viewing starts at 7pm – Auction at  8.30 pm.