Warwickshire News Mine

Christian O’Connell auctioned off his Virgin Radio Breakfast Show for the Warwickshire Firefighters Families Fund after the tragic events of the Warehouse Fire at Atherstone on Stour, which claimed the lives of four firefighters.

The two highest bidders battling it out till the bitter end were businesses Guinness and Harper Collins publishers who were putting in massive bids of £25,000 and £22,500 - neither of them were prepared to back down. In the end Christian managed to persuade the two businesses to pull together for the good of the cause and to pool their money and both own the show!

The final bid of 7,000 came in from GEM TV Jewellery channel making up the total bid of £54,500. So as soon as possible in December the whole of the Virgin Radio Breakfast show will be decamping to the infamous Guinness factory in Dublin, with Harper Collins to do a live OB. They will also be presenting an hour slot on GEM TV.

Also joining in on the act will be original nutty boy and much loved Virgin Radio DJ, Suggs. And he might even bring along a couple of his Madness band mates along for good measure.

Earlier in the week Christian put a call out to listeners saying that he would be auctioning off the show to the highest bidder who would win the breakfast show - live from their home/place of work for one day. All the proceeds of the auction going direct to the Warwickshire Firefighters Family Fund.

Christian and the guys decided that they would put a reserve price on the show of £100. But bidding soon hotted up with amounts quickly escalating into the thousands. Before long it was clear that there were just two bidders serious enough to take on the challenge - Guinness, who have just launched their most expensive TV ad ever, and Harper Collins publishers who tried to tempt Christian by telling him they had over 300 female staff under the age of 30!

The prices went up and up but the auction had to end at 10am when Christian’s show did. It was a very tight call as to which business bidder would win, until Christian had an idea - that the two businesses would both pay the money and both own the show for a day. And as it was for such a good cause, of course they both agreed.

‘The whole of nation has been gripped by this tragic story of sheer bravery,’ said Christian O’Connell, ‘I wanted to help but all I have to give is my show. I’m so proud if a little shocked that we were able to raise so much money - do people really like us that much? I hope we’re able to help those families out before what I’m sure is going to be a difficult Christmas.’

A fund has been set up to support the families of the four firefighters who tragically lost their lives in the line of duty in Atherstone on Stour.

The fire happened on the evening of Friday November 2, and 44-year-old Ian Reid; Darren Yates-Badley, aged 24; John Averis, aged 27; and Ashley Stephens, aged 20, all lost their lives while tackling the fire.

For several days the Warwickshire Firefighters Family Fund has been available online, but from today the people of Warwickshire will see posters appearing around the county.

Posters have gone to libraries, doctors’ surgeries, one stop shops, council offices and many other locations such as shops and leisure centres, detailing how to make contributions to the fund.

People can continue to contribute to the fund via the website at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue, and the details on the posters also detail how they can make payments via their bank and by cheque.

If people are interested in publicising the fund themselves, the poster is available on the website above for downloading and printing.

The fund, created by Warwickshire County Council, has this morning topped £16,758.81 (excluding the above donation) in donations from more than 600 people. Donations have been received from all over the world including Switzerland, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Cllr Richard Hobbs, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Protection, said: " We are delighted with the response so far from the public, not just in Warwickshire, but across the world have been touched by this tragedy.

“The fund has been established for those who wish to make a contribution to go directly to the families of the firefighters involved. The fund will also help to provide a fitting memorial at a later date.

“Warwickshire County Council will also be paying any credit card payment fees for making the donation to ensure that all of the donated funds go to the families and towards the memorial.”

To find out more about the fund visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/fireandrescue

Link to WCC