Old Bags break auction record to help young

Charity lunch

The 10th anniversary ‘Lunch with an Old Bag’ raised a record-breaking £1 million to help change the lives of more than 1,000 young people supported by The Prince’s Trust.

Actor Linda Robson joined 400 women at Prestonfield House, Edinburgh where the money was raised through an auction of luxury prizes.

An original ‘Mickey and Minnie’ art work by renowned street Artist Mr Brainwash was sold for £100,000.

Other prizes included a shopping trip to New York on the Queen Mary 2 and a Malachite Hermes Birkin handbag worth £24,000. 

Since it began the event has raised £4.5 million for the trust which supports young Scots.  

Naomi McLarnon, Prince’s Trust Young Ambassador, shared her story alongside other Young Ambassadors at the event. She said: “I was drinking excessively to deal with my depression but that just led me to a much darker place. I had never hated myself more. I didn’t know what I wanted to do anymore, I had all but given up and didn’t know where to begin. 

“My job coach at the jobcentre told me about The Princes Trust. When I joined, I became so immersed in the course and fell in love with the atmosphere of the Trust and the staff. I’m now in a job that I love, and I feel truly happy with a positive outlook that is tangible.”

Fiona Donaldson, chairman of the LWOB volunteer committee, said: “Every year we’re astounded at the amount raised, and this extra-special year has been exceptional. It just shows the difference a room full of “Old Bags” can make.”

James Thomson, who has hosted the invitation-only event at Prestonfield every year, added: “Over the past ten years, ‘Lunch with an Old’ Bag at Prestonfield has raised enough cash to help change the lives of thousands of young people across Scotland.” 

Capital FM presenter and Prince’s Trust Ambassador, Des Clarke hosted the main auction and event, with entertainment provided by musical act Björn Again. 

This year The Prince’s Trust will support more than 10,000 young people across Scotland to develop the skills and confidence the need to live, learn and earn.