A Beccles fundraising group which formed last year to help tackle child cruelty is holding an auction of art to raise vital funds.

The event, organised by the Beccles branch of the NSPCC, is being held at Beccles Library on Wednesday, March 9, with artwork donated by Michelle Payne from The Upstairs Gallery.

The Beccles group, which is part of the North Suffolk branch of the NSPCC, formed in May 2015 and has raised around £2,000 in the past eight months to help vulnerable young people in Suffolk.

Caroline Topping, chairman of the group, said: “Last year we attended the hospital fete, charter weekend, carnival and duck race and ran low key stalls with literature and games.

“But this year we want to go really big with the fundraising and this is our first big event.”

And the Beccles committee have a new recruit - Stan the wire man who often sits on the benches outside the The Upstairs Gallery in Exchange Square. Stan has been loaned to the group by Mrs Payne, and will be dressed in NSPCC colours in the lead up to the event, with his clothing bearing the words “Stop The Abuse Now.”  

The auction will include 73 pieces of artwork donated from the gallery, along with prints, cards, soft toys and pottery. The event will start at 7.30pm on March 9, with preview and registration of interest opening the day before at 3pm on March 8.

Durrants director Nicholas Rudge will be running the auction and refreshments are being provided by Tesco of Beccles. Beccles business Quayside Conservatories has also made a donation towards the running of the event.

Mrs Topping added: “Everybody is welcome to come along and help us raise lots of money for the branch which will go towards helping children in Suffolk.”

Are you raising money for a good cause? Email amy.smith@archant.co.uk or call 01502 712060.