A HOUSE near Wem that is being auctioned off for charity has raised more than £100,000.

Grafton Farm, in Loppington, was put up for raffle by Shropshire charity fundraisers Nigel and Jane Chaloner last month.

The couple, who are due to retire, were looking to raise up to £100,000 to support the work of the Severn Hospice by selling raffle tickets at £2 each for the chance to win the six-bedroom home.

To raise the maximum amount, the couple were looking to sell more than 500,000 tickets, a target they have reached ahead of schedule.

For the couple, being able to raise the sum has been dream come true, and they will announce the winner of the raffle in June.

In a statement online, the couple said: “There are few words, but our favourite band say that, ‘days like these you learn to live again, days like these you learn to love again.’

“Love has been a feature of our years at Grafton Farm, but new chapters and new horizons beckon, new people to meet, faces to greet, and people to love and make a difference with.

“Thank you to all the wonderful staff and carers at Severn Hospice, we are thrilled that you have received these funds with all the love, well wishes and support from everyone who has entered our prize draw.

“We have been the vehicle, but you have made the difference.

“While the figures are still coming in we think you smashed our target and raised around £120,000 for this amazing organisation.

“Our live draw to randomly select the winner of our beautiful home is still scheduled for June 3 because of the lockdown measures.”

The Chaloners are no strangers to charitable giving, having raised 22 foster children at Grafton Farm over the last 18 years, as well as raising their own children.

A spokesman for Severn Hospice added: “Thank you so much to everyone who supported us, you have contributed £120,000 to the care we provide.

“Thank you to Jane and Nigel Chaloner for being such fabulous supporters too.

“A wonderful idea and such a generous gift to the hospice – even topping their original pledge by adding more to the donation than we expected.

“The excitement’s not ended as someone still has to actually win the draw, due to take place on June 3.

“Thank you again to everyone who made this happen – it’s because you care that we can.”