Memorabilia signed by sports stars and valued at £10,000 has been donated by a Worcester-based business to help a hospice raise funds for its care.
Firma Stella Sports Memorabilia and Firma Framing donated limited-edition, signed merchandise to St Richard’s Hospice last week.
The county charity has launched an online auction for the items, which include a 2021 Manchester United shirt signed by Cristiano Ronaldo and a Brazil World Cup shirt signed by Pelé.
Peter Johnson, Managing Director at Firma Stella Sports Memorabilia and Firma Framing, said: “St Richard’s Hospice is a charity that’s close to our hearts at Firma Stella and Firma Framing.
“We’re touched by the incredibly personable service they offer to patients and their willingness to go the extra mile.
“As a local, successful business, we’re proud to give back to a magnificent Worcestershire charity.”
Among the items up for auction are: a framed shirt signed by England cricketer Ben Stokes; an England rugby shirt signed by Manu Tuilagi; a Wales rugby ball signed by Warren Gatland; a framed England shirt signed by Wayne Rooney, and more.
The funds raised by the sale of each lot will help the hospice continue to fund its care to patients, their families and bereaved people across the county.
Kelly Johns, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at St Richard’s, said: “We have been blown away by the generosity of Firma Stella, and are very grateful to them for supporting our care in this way.
“The auction is a great chance to find that perfect present for sports fans, while helping make a difference to St Richard’s Hospice. We hope plenty of people will get involved, and place their bids!
“Every penny raised at auction will help us continue to fund the services our teams provide to patients with serious, progressive illnesses, their loved ones and people experiencing bereavement.”
The hospice’s auction ends on Friday, December 17, and bids can be placed online via: www.jumblebee.co.uk/strichardshospicechristmasauction
Firma Stella is the number one rated sports memorabilia company in the world on Trustpilot, and sells authentic, signed merchandise. It has exclusive partnerships with Ben Stokes, James Rodríguez and Warren Gatland.
Its sister company, Firma Framing, provides a bespoke framing service to customers in Worcestershire and beyond. Both businesses operate from premises in Buckholt Drive, Worcester.
St Richard’s Hospice cares for adults with a serious progressive illness, improving their quality of life from diagnosis, during treatment and to their last days. It also supports their loved ones.
Each year the hospice team supports more than 2,900 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire.
It costs £8.75m to run the hospice (20/21 audited accounts), which includes patient care and all the necessary support services.
St Richard’s is an independent charity and relies on donations and gifts in Wills for the majority of its income with the remainder funded by the NHS.
For more information about St Richard’s Hospice visit www.strichards.org.uk