Maurice hoping to raise ‘lots’ for club

The event, which is supported by Robinson Cleaning Services, has been organised by local councillor and lifelong Sky Blues fan Alderman Maurice Mills, and will take place in Ballymena North Business and Recreation Centre, Cushendall Road.

The auction is open to all members of the public and starts at 7pm (viewing from 6pm). Admission is £1 per person (accompanied children free) and a further £1 for a bid card. All money raised goes to Ballymena United.

Together with the assistance of a working group, Maurice has put together a bumper package of lots for auction.

“The lots are well worth viewing and indeed purchasing,” he told Times Sport.

“I have been hugely impressed by the response from local businesses to our request for auction items - even in these difficult economic times, I have not had one refusal and it is a testament to the community spirit we have in Ballymena.”

Among the lots will be many completely new items, including electrical equipment, clothing, a car trailer, a 65-piece stainless steel cutlery set, hampers and hotel offers, as well as a signed photograph of the cast of Eastenders, to name just a few.

There will also be a selection of second hand goods including a Chesterfield suite among others.

Maurice has appealed for anyone wishing to donate items for auction to do so as soon as possible.

Items of the following nature are suggested:

Brassware, Antiques, Mirrors, China, Tableware, Ornaments, Crystal, Oil Points, Clocks (PWO), Electrical Appliances (PWO), Furniture, Bags of wood, logs and peat, Bicycles (PWO), Glassware, Sports Gear, Sports Memorabilia, Lamps (PWO), Jewellery, Toys (PWO), Tools, Rugs, Mats, Hampers, Pictures, Wallets, Musical Instruments, Books, Clothes (new only), Carpets, Handcraft.

Items to be avoided include beds, Mattresses, Old wardrobes and Televisions.

It is essential we get the items in early in order to number the lot schedule to assist our auctioneers, Ken Crawford and Johnny Cupples.

Items can be left at Ballymena North Centre between 10pm and midnight this Thursday or alternatively, items can be left with the following people and locations:

John Armstrong - 077 2579 2678

Alan Blair - 028 2564 5593 or 078 6022 7560

Maurice Mills - 028 2564 3924 or 077 4075 8551

James McNeill Hardware - 028 2586 1629

Stirling Trophies - 028 2565 9490

“Hopefully we will get a great response so that we can raise as much money as possible for the football club,” added Maurice.