Toy Collector & Marcel Van Cleemput Serve Up Charity Treat for Corgi Fans

Toy Collector are giving four lucky Corgi Toys collectors the chance to have dinner with the brand’s Godfather, Marcel Van Cleemput – and help a good cause at the same time.

The popular collectors’ site, which has just launched its new trading platform for vintage and collectable toys, has teamed up with Marcel for a charity auction which will allow collectors to bid on four seats at a dinner with Marcel, to take place at Fawsley Hall in Northampton on the 10th of March next year. All proceeds going to the Helen & Douglas House which provides hospice care to children and young adults with life-shortening conditions.

Marcel with former colleague John Worth inspecting the JPS model

Marcel served as Chief Designer at Mettoy and prepared the very first designs for the Corgi cars in 1956, going on to have involvement in every single model that followed until the demise of Mettoy in 1983. He is also the Author of The Great Book of Corgi, which was revised and re-issued last year to great acclaim.

Interested collectors will be able to participate by emailing their bid amount to Toy Collector boss LaToya on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Friends and relatives can also bid to purchase as a gift, of course!). 

Bidding will end on January 31st, 2012. Details of the four highest bidders will be shown on the Toy Collector site here, along with current high bids. The winners will be announced on the same page.

About Helen & Douglas House

Helen & Douglas House has the time and expertise to care for children and young adults with life-shortening conditions and support their families. The two hospice houses offer specialist symptom and pain management, medically-supported short breaks and end-of-life care, as well as counselling and practical support for the whole family. Helen House opened in 1982 as the world's first children's hospice. Douglas House opened in 2004 as the world's first hospice specifically for young adults aged 16-35.

For more information on this or other fundraising event contact Mary Boullin, Community Fundraising Manager on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or +44 (1865) 799 155.