The world’s first charitable online market is coming to South Lakeland, and it has recieved celebrity backing.

'Beacon' is an online community-based shop where a percentage of every sale goes directly to St Mary’s Hospice, Ulverston.

Any item can be bought or sold on the site, which is similar to eBay.

Beacon, which will be launched this afternoon, has received celebrity support from none other than Warwick Davis.

The Star Wars actor calls Ulverston his 'favourite place in the world' and urges everyone to get behind Beacon to raise money for the hospice.

His video can be seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMQxjbnqHO4&feature=youtu.be.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Anybody can create an account and sell any item on the website with a minimum of £1 of the profit from each sale going to the hospice.

The ‘charitable slideometer’ gives the vendor the opportunity to donate as much as 100% of the profits.

Claire Crisp, spokesperson for the hospice, said: “It’s a fantastic initiative that we hope people will get on board with and support because it’s a new revenue stream.

"Any support we can get from the community using the market place would be much appreciated.”

There are already some unusual items being sold on the site, such as a two hour osprey safari boat ride on Esthwaite Water.


Ian Gillet, creator of Beacon, said: “The way people are buying and selling in recent years is through social newtorking sites.

"My Beacon combines the best parts of Facebook and Ebay to benefit local a charity and the community.

"We’ve made it really local, people can see stuff for sale within a quarter of a mile away.”

Beacon can be accessed by following this link http://www.mybeacon.biz/hospice