£50,000 handed over to Children's Heart Unit Fund (Chuf) after car auction centre smashes fundraising total in tribute to Tom ‘Mouse’ Smith

Manheim Washington present a cheque for £50,000 to the Children's Heart Fund Unit at Freeman's Hospital

Manheim Washington hoped to raise £40,000 for the Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF) by auctioning off more 100 items of memorabilia and other top prizes.

But the total now raised has hit £50,000. The event was inspired by 15-year-old Tom ‘Mouse’ Smith, who suffers from Hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

The auction, which featured Kevin Phillips, Mike Tyson and Conor McGregor memorabilia was held to raise funds for the CHUF, based in the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

Anthony Baker, general manager at Manheim Washington, said: “We decided to hold this auction to raise funds for CHUF, a charity close to the business’ heart.

“My best friend’s son, Tom ‘Mouse’ Smith, suffers from a rare heart condition and has undergone major surgery and continues to have ongoing treatment. Tom wanted to raise some money for CHUF as they’ve helped him and his family so much.”

Businesses got involved by providing raffle and auction prizes including a helicopter experience, a signed Anthony Joshua boxing glove, and Paul Gascoigne’s football boots.

Despite feeling under the weather, Tom, who is a musician, entertained the crowd before the sales kicked off – and even tried his hand at auctioneering.

The £50,000 will be used to aid the work of CHUF, which supports children and families receiving heart treatment at Freeman Hospital by raising money for equipment, care, research and staff.