Cheffins fundraising surpasses £270k for Cambridge Children’s Hospital and local charities
2nd February 2026
Cheffins has marked its 200-year anniversary by raising £270,596 for charity and exceeding its original bicentenary fundraising pledge by over £70,000.
Cheffins committed to raising £200,000 during its 200th year in 2025. Twelve months on, a year-long programme of ambitious fundraising, community events and match funding has seen the firm significantly surpass that target, ensuring a tangible, long-term impact for children and local families.
£212,000 will be donated to the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) to create a brand-new, permanent playroom at Cambridge Children’s Hospital, which is bringing together mental and physical healthcare with world-leading life sciences research in a whole new way, treating mind and body as one.
Once built, it will be the first specialist children’s hospital for the East of England, the only region in the UK without one.
The remaining £58,596 has been distributed to a range of local and national charities, including LEAF, Dementia UK, and through the Cambridge Community Foundation, extending the impact of Cheffins’ bicentenary celebrations across the wider community.
200 years in business
Cheffins originally pledged £100,000 to ACT during its bicentenary year; however, the company more than doubled that amount. The extra funds raised will provide a significantly larger, purpose-built playroom in Cambridge Children’s Hospital, which will become a space to support the wellbeing of children undergoing treatment for decades to come.
In addition to the financial contribution, Cheffins has also donated a toybox containing more than 200 toys, symbolising each year of the firm’s history. Collected across all Cheffins offices and donated by staff, the toys will be used by play teams at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, and the toybox itself will take pride of place in the Cheffins playroom once completed.
Founded in 1825 in Saffron Walden, Cheffins has grown over two centuries into one of the market-leading professional services firms, specialising in property, land, fine art, antiques and agricultural machinery.
While the business now operates nationally and internationally, it remains proudly independent and deeply rooted in the communities it serves.
Bill King, chairman of Cheffins, said: “Celebrating 200 years in business gave us a unique opportunity to reflect upon our heritage and more importantly, to look forward and ask what kind of legacy we want to leave behind.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support our bicentenary campaign received. Our staff showed extraordinary energy, creativity and commitment throughout the year, and thanks to them – alongside the generosity of our clients, partners and the wider community – we have been able to raise more than double our original target for the Children’s Hospital.
“The extra money raised means we can provide a significantly larger, purpose-built playroom which will have an even bigger impact for children and their families from the region and across the UK.”
Commitment to fundraise
From the Saffron Walden Carnival and Newmarket Bake Sale to the Cheffins Cycle Ride, charity tractor sale and countless personal challenges, the campaign brought the whole firm together behind a shared purpose.
“While our bicentenary year may have ended, our commitment hasn’t. We will continue to fundraise throughout the hospital’s construction to ensure we make a meaningful difference when construction is complete in 2030,” Mr King added.
Fundraising activities throughout 2025 included the sale of the Cheffins Charity Tractor, which alone raised over £80,000; an online charity auction featuring exclusive experiences; sponsorship of the Saffron Walden Carnival; staff participation in the Three Peaks Challenge, Cambridge Half Marathon, skydives, bake sales, rounders tournaments and the Cheffins Cycle Ride; and many others.
Shelly Thake, chief executive of Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, said: “Working as closely as we have done with Cheffins this past year has been a fantastic experience for us and left us all with a lot of fond memories. Not only have they managed to exceed their ambitious fundraising target of £200,000 – but they have done so by throwing themselves into everything they’ve done with both passion and creativity.
“As attitudes towards healthcare provision continue to grow and evolve, we see more and more importance given to the mental wellbeing of patients. This pioneering new children’s hospital will be the first in the world to fully integrate the treatment of children’s mental and physical health, alongside world-leading research.
“By making this very generous donation to ACT, Cheffins will be part of an important legacy for years to come, and we would like to thank everyone who was involved in fundraising for all their hard work and for taking us on what has proved to be a fun and memorable journey.”
Cheffins employs more than 180 staff and operates from offices in Cambridge, Ely, Haverhill, Newmarket and Saffron Walden. Cheffins runs Europe’s largest monthly agricultural machinery sale alongside internationally recognised fine art and antiques auctions.
“Our history gives us a strong foundation,” added Mr King. “But it’s how we adapt, innovate and support the communities around us which will define Cheffins for the next 200 years. We have really enjoyed working with ACT and will be continuing our partnership in order to continue to raise even more money for a fantastic cause.”
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