A MAJOR Antiques Fair is to be held in Tunbridge Wells in memory of silverware specialist and dealer George Paterson to raise money for Hospice in the Weald.
George was so impressed with the care he received in the In-Patient Ward at the hospice in Pembury that he wanted to organise a fundraiser.
He died in October before the event could go ahead, but his granddaughter Claire O’Neill will be fulfilling his wish.
Claire, who is an intensive care nurse at AXA PPP Healthcare in Tunbridge Wells, is aiming to bring together more than 40 stallholders for the fair, which will be held at The Skinners’ School on Sunday April 28.
“I just want to raise as much as possible for the hospice,” said Claire. “I’m just doing what my grandad would have done.
“I am hoping we will attract a queue of people, as well as a waiting list of stallholders.”
“The response has been absolutely brilliant so far, I had no idea! And 100 per cent of all money is going to the hospice.
“I really want all the stallholders and traders to have a good day. I hope it will promote the wonderful antiques trade.”
She added: “Grandad was the head of our family; he brought me up as if he were my father, we were very close.
“He promised the hospice nurses that he would run an antiques fair to fundraise for the hospice, to give something back.
“I knew, as he said the words, that he wouldn’t be here to do that. We knew he wasn’t going to get better. I decided right at that moment that I would do this for him when the time came.”
Kathryn Cracknell, Relationship Fundraising Assistant at Hospice in the Weald, said: ‘We are so pleased that Claire has taken this initiative.
“It’s really special to arrange such a personal event in memory of someone, and Claire is working so hard to make sure everything goes smoothly.
“Fundraising ideas and events like this are so important to help us reach the £7million we must raise every year.”
Entry to the antiques fair costs £1 and there is free parking. Refreshments will be provided by Fuggles Beer Café and there will be live music from the Heathfield Silver Band.
For more information, contact Claire on 07866 598641 or email: patersonsilver@gmail.com
