A true British classic car has been auctioned to raise funds for a Dorset hospice.

The 1966 Morris Minor Traveller was donated for sale by the estate of Ian Stone, a former Trustee and Vice Chair of the Board at Weldmar Hospicecare, Dorchester.

The traditional Almond Green 'Moggy' with the ash wood framework and leather interior was auctioned this week [Thursday 25/4/24] by classic car specialists South Western Vehicle Auctions in Poole and raised £7,100 with all proceeds going to the charity.

The car had been owned by Mr Stone for 14 years prior to his death last year and had been his passion outside of his work with the hospice team.

His widow Vivian Stone donated the car to the charity to raise funds for the hospice that meant so much to her husband, saying: "Being a Trustee of Weldmar was hugely important to Ian. Shortly after he retired, he joined the Board and loved visiting, seeing the staff, and being part of a wonderful charity. When diagnosed he wanted to spend his last days at Weldmar where they cared for him so well, as well as looking after me too."

The team at South Western Vehicle Auctions waived all fees and commissions so that the entire proceeds went to the beneficiaries.

Owen Shepherd, classics specialist at SWVA said, "The Traveller came with a comprehensive history file including old paperwork, invoices, MOT certificates and so on.

"It also had the original driver's handbook and operation manual. In nice clean condition we were glad it reached above guide valuation, reaching over £7,000."

The funds will be gratefully received by the charity which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

Costing around £30,000 per day to run Weldmar Hospicecare, all funding provides specialist end of life care to people in Dorset who are living with a life limiting illness such as cancer, motor neurone disease, and heart disease.

The team includes Community Nurses, the Weldmar at Home service and the Inpatient Unit situated in beautiful grounds in Dorchester. Their extensive range of support is there to help patients, their carers, and loved ones through challenging times, and is an invaluable community service.

Next month, the charity is holding a 30-hour fundraiser 'Making Every Moment Matter' where every single donation will be match funded. This year alone Weldmar has an anticipated shortfall of £1million and is hoping that people will get behind their anniversary fundraising campaign.

The fundraiser starts at 10am on Sunday 19 May. Further details can be found here:

https://www.weldmarhospicecare.org/moments/

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