AN auction of promises is being held in Pickering next month for two animal charities.

The event will support Yorkshire Coast Dog Rescue and Emergency Animal Rescue Support (EARS).

Kate Collier, one of the organisers, said she got her own dog, Jak, from EARS, 18 months ago.

“Jak was thrown out when he was 14, blind in one eye, deaf and arthritic, but he is now famous throughout the world thanks to his Facebook page,” she said.

“People support his fundraising events. Doing our last quiz with him as the figurehead raised well over £200. At the moment he has an online auction, too, with promises of more than £200 in less than a week.”

Kate said Jak had “sent” letters asking for things for the local auction and response has been better than ever. Lots include family tickets to attractions such as Bamburgh Castle, Burton Agnes and Castle Howard, a rail day pass and a signed Chris Sidwell’s cycling book.

“Father Antony Pritchett is opening the event and Peter Illingworth is doing the auction again – he is brilliant as he interacts with the children making this a fun-filled family evening,” Kate said.

“We even have some of Jak’s supporters coming up from Birmingham specially for the event.”

The auction of promises will be held on Saturday, April 5, at Pickering Memorial Hall. Tickets are £3, including refreshments, available from Kate on 01751 473245.