A NIECE is hoping to support the causes close to her late uncle’s heart by donating the proceeds of an auction of antique cars to charities he loved.

George Allen, better know to his friends and family as Chips, is having his impressive collection of vintage vehicles sold at auction following his death at the age of 94.

Mr Allen, from Halstead, was a keen collector of cars, particularly Ford Model Ts, which he collected throughout the decades.

His collection consists of four Model Ts, two Minis and a Ford Sierra.

Previously working as a labourer at RAF Ridgewell during the Second World War, Mr Allen moved to work for his family’s scrap metal business, based behind his Chapel Hill home after the war.

It was there where Mr Allen found his passion for classic cars.

His collection grew through the years and he could be seen regularly attending local shows.

But now, following his death, his collection is being put up for auction as per the wishes he set out in his will.

Colchester-based auctioneers Reeman Dansie will be holding the auction tomorrow.

Auctioneers have valued his entire collection at more than £40,000 with the most expensive car in the collection being a Model T, which is valued at £12,000.

Mr Allen originally wanted to see his cars go to a museum, but after a long search made hard by the pandemic, it was decided the cars should go to auction instead with money raised by their sale going to charity.

Mr Allen’s niece and next of kin, Bridget Couch, from Halstead, says the money is going to a group of charities which Mr Allen loved.

They include Cancer Research, the British Heart Foundation, Essex Air Ambulance, based in Earls Colne, and the Danaher RSPCA Rescue Centre, based in Wethersfield.

Mrs Couch said: “His wishes were to see the cars go to a museum and the solicitor was ringing around to try and find anyone interested.

“With lockdown, this proved to be difficult, so the alternative was to give their proceeds to charity, which was set out in his will.

“He did give to charity regularly. He was keen on Cancer Research, but also the British Heart Foundation as my brother died at 45 of a heart attack and heart problems are hereditary in the family.

“He was always keen on the air ambulance as well as the Danaher Animal Home.

“He was always going over there when he could drive bringing tins of cat and dog food.”

“I can’t remember a time when the Model Ts weren’t around. The one he did up, he would take it to different shows and as kids we always used to play in them.

“It was emotional seeing them go, but we have got a lot of fond memories.”