Auction of Promises: Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society
How the Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society raised £10,600 through a 28-lot online auction featuring rare aviation experiences, replacing cancelled air shows during the pandemic.
The Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society maintains a unique collection of working vintage aircraft and funds visitor experiences at their Bedfordshire base. When air shows were cancelled due to the pandemic, they lost crucial revenue - and turned to a digital auction to replace it.
The Auction
The collection featured 28 carefully curated lots, designed with Christmas gifting in mind:
- Flight experiences in vintage aircraft
- Private behind-the-scenes tours
- Day packages for aviation enthusiasts
- Exclusive access experiences
One standout lot - a Cockpit Crazy Tour - raised £1,312.50 including Gift Aid alone.
Reaching the Right Audience
Promotional efforts targeted the right people through multiple channels:
- Existing member communications
- Regional press coverage
- Radio features
- Social media outreach
The Result
Amount raised: £10,600.00Number of lots: 28
"The DONATE™ online auction service provided us with the easiest opportunity to raise auction funds when they were needed most. The set-up and support given by your team was smooth and efficient. Bidding was straightforward and we were delighted with the success of our first online auction."
- Matthew Studdert-Kennedy, Shuttleworth Veteran Aeroplane Society