THE Cornelius Fund held an auction of promises and raised more than £800 to help people with housing in the South Hams.

Stuart Cartwright of Marchand Petit conducted the aution on Monday, December 7, in the Crabshell Inn, Kingsbridge.

Mainly Christmas-themed promises included a Christmas tree from Terawhiti Farm in South Milton, a generous case of wine from the Kingsbridge Wine Room, a mixture of vouchers for meals from the Cottage Hotel, Thurlestone Hotel, The Pantry, the Salcombe Coffee Company and Kerala Delicacies; vouchers for services from Hair Advice Centre, Quay2Beauty and Jane Pilling massage.

There were also signed copies of books; a leg of home-reared lamb, Christmas cake, a bottle of champagne, a Christmas wreath, Christmas pudding, mincemeat given by private individuals; and offers of a flower arrangement, a day’s sailing, a paddle-boarding session from The Crabshell, and a two-night stay in an apartment on Bolt Head.

The evening made a total of £854 for the Cornelius Fund, which provides interest-free loans to help local homeless people into rented accommodation.

Carolyn Schofield, Cornelius Fund, said: ‘Many thanks to all the generous donators and bidders.’