CAR-LOVING MILLIONAIRE’S COLLECTION SELLS FOR NHS

Businessman bequeaths £3 million to the hospital that treated him

The sale of a British businessman’s huge fleet of classic cars and motorcycles has raised £3 million that will be used to build new hospital treatment facilities to benefit cancer patients.

Robert White, who died of cancer in 2015, bequeathed his amazing collection that included more than 300 car mascots to fund facilities at Poole and Dorset County hospitals.

Dorset was White’s home county, but his generosity will benefit cancer patients across the country.

Among the cars sold in the Bonhams auction in London on 19 September were a 1930 Bentley 4.5-litre Le Mans-style Tourer sold to a European bidder in the room for £315,100, while a 1959 AC Ace-Bristol Roadster made £254,620. A Lalique Hibou glass owl ( CCW News, 7 September), sold for £47,500 (estimate £55,000-65,000).

The auction also set a new world record for a George Daniels Anniversary model wristwatch that achieved double estimate at £224,500.

Bonhams co-chairman Malcolm Barber, says: ‘I’m delighted that 10 hours on the rostrum the sale has achieved such excellent results.’

White was the founder of one of the UK’s leading photographic retailers, having started in business with a small camera shop in Poole.

‘We’re so grateful for this immense gift, which will be of benefit to patients for years to come,’ says Debbie Fleming, chief executive of Poole Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.