A HUDDERSFIELD support worker hopes to auction off anything and everything next month in his latest bid to reach his fundraising goal.
Ben Yates plans to travel to Soweto in South Africa next March to spend three months there working with patients at a respite centre for the Hillcrest AIDS Trust.
The 23-year-old needs around £3,500 to initially fund his trip.
On April 10 he will be auctioning anything from a webcam, scanner and printers to stationery, haircuts, manicures and meals out in a bid to reach his target.
Ben said: “My grandma Olive Yates went out there during Apartheid and she did a similar sort of thing.
“Her stories inspired me to go there and carry on from where she left off, so this trip is extremely important to me.
“I want to help put smiles on peoples’ faces there – to give them something to look forward to and to help those who are dying die with a bit of pride and dignity.”
Ben, who is a former King James’ High School pupil from Kirkheaton, has also climbed the highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales – Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon – in just over 24 hours to raise money to help the families affected by AIDS in South Africa.
He raised £380 and hopes he will soon be even closer to reaching his goal.
The auction will begin at 5pm at Kirkheaton Primary School, with former Huddersfield Town goalkeeper Phil Senior as auctioneer.
Ben said: “There is such a wide range of things up for grabs, so I hope it will attract people of all ages and interests.”
