Cheffins celebrates its 200-year anniversary by pledging £200,000 for charity

Cheffins will mark the firm’s 200-year anniversary this year by giving £200,000 to charity through a combination of fundraising events, match funding and donations.

The majority of the fundraising efforts will support the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital through Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT). With a minimum of £100,000 being raised for the hospital, Cheffins’ efforts will provide a dedicated playroom for children in treatment, in line with the company’s goal to support mental health services for future generations.

Established in Saffron Walden in 1825, Cheffins has grown to become a leader in markets including property services, machinery sales, and fine art and antiques auctions. With a legacy of quality, service and innovation for two centuries, Cheffins is focusing on the company’s future while committing to the local community and helping to underpin vital services across the region.

Chairman Bill King said: “We are thrilled to announce we are aiming to give this significant amount of money for such an important cause and will be hosting a series of wonderful fundraising events throughout the year, while also match funding all of the charitable efforts of our staff.

“We are now looking to build a strong foundation for the future of Cheffins as well as the next generations of the people of Cambridgeshire and the surrounding area. We are celebrating with purpose and are proving our commitment to the community with our charitable efforts this year.”

Cambridge Children’s Hospital, to be built on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, will transform healthcare and have a life-changing impact on the 1.5 million children in the East of England, the only region in the UK without a dedicated children’s hospital. On completion in 2029, the hospital will be the first of its kind and a model for the future, by combining physical and mental health. A world-leading research institute will be embedded within the hospital, bringing together clinical and academic excellence to not just treat diseases, but in time prevent them completely.

Bill King said: “Cheffins has an incredible legacy. Having started as valuers and auctioneers in 1825, it has diversified to provide leading advice throughout the property and rural industries, while also hosting Europe’s largest monthly agricultural machinery sale and a market-leading fine art and antiques auction.

“The company now employs over 180 members of staff, and has offices throughout East Anglia, as well as the vast 40-acre sale ground at Sutton, near Ely, but our work has an international reach, with sales worldwide for agricultural machinery and fine art, and property and rural advice offered throughout the UK.

“We are now looking to build on this strong foundation to lay the groundwork to support Cheffins over the coming years and are constantly looking for ways in which we can continue to evolve and innovate to maintain our position in the market.”

ACT is celebrating its 30th birthday and CEO Shelly Thake said: “We couldn’t be prouder to be partnering with Cheffins, in the year of their 200th anniversary and ACT’s 30th birthday, to raise money for the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital.

“Their passion and commitment to supporting the mental health of young people in our region, and this new hospital’s goal of integrating physical and mental health together, in one hospital for the first time, makes this a fantastic partnership. This new hospital will save and change the lives of countless children and young people – but that can only happen with the help of supporters like Cheffins, and their wonderful colleagues and customers.”

Cheffins will donate a minimum of £20,000 to the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation to support services for young people’s mental health and wellbeing projects in the communities local to Cheffins. The remaining £80,000 raised and gifted will be donated to other charities nationwide.

The Cambridge Independent has produced the Cheffins Chronicle with the company. The 24-page publication contains articles and photographs covering all facets of the business to mark the 200th anniversary.

To support the fundraising for Cambridge Children’s Hospital, visit justgiving.com/campaign/cheffins200years.