Animal auction raises 600´000 ptas

Blue Peter personality John Noakes did a wonderful job of auctioning at the fund-raising event for the Centro Canino Internacional Animal Refuge, a spokesperson for the organisers said yesterday. The amount raised was in the region of 600'000 pesetas, which included a cheque for 18'000 pesetas raised by a group in Santa Ponsa, who, undaunted by the fact that tickets for the fund-raising dinner dance on St Valentine's Day were sold out, got together and had their own party. Each of the 18 members added 1'000 pesetas to their bill at the restaurant, and this was handed over at the auction. The auction was held in the Meson Son Ferrer at Son Ferrer, and lasted for about four hours, with Mr Noakes doing a magnificent job of keeping things moving and the crowd of about 50 entertained. A wide range of items went under the hammer, including a 50cc scooter, dishwasher, air conditioning units, a knitting machine, surf board, works of art and much more. The organisers express their thanks to Mr Noakes and all the behind-the-scenes workers who helped everything move smoothly. The Centro Canino Internacional in Calle Jesus is under threat because the site it occupies is to become part of the city's green belt. A committee has been set up to raise funds to purchase land for a new shelter were stray and abandoned animals can live out their lives.