Auction raises thousands of pounds

Thousands of pounds have been raised for Deafness Research UK after a “remarkable” collection of antique card cases was sold at auction, thanks to a gift left in a supporter’s Will.

They belonged to Hungerford’s international flower judge Lily Gotobed, who died in February 2007 at the age of 100.

Mrs Gotobed was a collector throughout her life, and 55 of the treasures were a highlight of a Bonhams’ sale of silver and objects of vertu in Knightsbridge. She left what experts termed a “remarkable private collection” of the antique card cases, which were used to carry calling and business cards.

The proceeds from the sale of the cases will help us to continue our vital work, such as finding the genes that cause age-related hearing loss, improving treatment for people with deafblindness, and regenerating hearing cells.