Silence brings a golden chance

THERE are many charitable organisations set-up by British property owners that work alongside their French counter-parts.

One of these is the Association Caritative de la Paroisse d’Aquitaine (ACPA) who raise funds to help children affected by the Chernobyl disaster in Russia.
A silent auction is one of ACPA ‘s biggest fundraisers and is held at the home of former teachers Ian and Gillian Strachan in the Dordogne.
“The auction takes about three months to organise but it is a great way to raise money for the charity,” said Ian.
“And we have people offering us all sorts of things from bathroom cabinets to a complete curry that will feed eight people.
“That’s the beauty of the event everyone can do something be it offer a thing to auction or put a bid on an item.”
Besides a curry it was also possible to bid on a tour of a chateau, ornaments, paintings and even a forty-five minute flight in a light aircraft.
And it is a simple process as you walk around noting down your bid on a small card and then keeping your eye on your item just in case you’ve been outbid.
Then as the clock ticks away Ian will call time on the bidding and everyone slowly works their way around the items, to see if they have been successful.
“The money we raise allows us to pay for the children from around Chernobyl to visit this part of France for a month,” Ian said.
“Not only is it an opportunity for them to see somewhere different it is also very good for their immune system which will have been severely weakened due to fall-out from the accident.
“This is the fourth year that we have been able to receive children and they will arrive in June with an interpreter.
“It’s a great experience for everyone involved.”
ACPA offer the chance for people to join the Association for €10 per annum and are always keen to receive good second items.
To learn more contact Ian Strachan by email…