A local charity is hosting an online auction to raise funds this weekend following a challenging year.

The Mark Jon Bolderson Foundation, named after a Hexham drummer, awards financial scholarships and helps with the costs of tuition and equipment for promising percussion students in the North East.

However, its activities this year have been hampered by the coronavirus pandemic.

Mark’s sister, Amanda, who is a trustee and founder of the foundation, said: “Fundraising has obviously been very slow this year with most of our opportunities being cancelled.

“We are holding an online auction this Sunday to raise funds.

“We have a menagerie of lots from signed Darth Vader prints, to signed books, a house clean, a caricature, a pet portrait, a bug mansion, homemade Christmas gifts and much much more.”

The auction can be attended here