A HELMSLEY business is raffling off an item with a celebrity past to help raise money for the York Teaching Hospital Charity.

Six years ago Duncombe Sawmill was asked to create a gate to be used as part of a star-studded Stella McCartney launch during London Fashion Week.

The sawmill was asked by the Forest Stewardship Council to create a wooden gate for a Forest Room display. It was made by hand using traditional techniques by two of the Sawmill’s joiners, who have worked at the firm for the last 30 years.Now it is raffling off the gate, which can be delivered free anywhere in the UK, to raise money for the York Teaching Hospital Charity.

The charity helps to fund extras to improve healthcare facilities, as well as supporting NHS staff, at eight local hospitals including Malton Hospital.

Emma Woods, owner of the Duncombe Sawmill, said: “I think we’re all in awe of what the NHS is doing at the moment and we were keen to do something to try and raise money.”The plan was always to raffle the gate for a good cause, so it seemed the perfect time to raise money for something which we’re all appreciating now more than ever.

“If people do feel able to buy a ticket, it’s a chance to win a gate worth well over £300, with a wonderful story behind it, for just £5. We’ve had lots of orders for garden gates and fences over the last few weeks as people try to make the most of their outdoor space so hopefully this can be a useful addition for someone. And they can tell everyone that numerous well-known celebrities have walked through it.”

An online raffle ticket costs £5 and will be available until the end of May. Tickets can be bought at justgiving.com/fundraising/duncombesawmill