Yahoo News AIDSfree auction: Bid for these once in a lifetime treats and support our Christmas appeal
Bid for a personal styling session with Victoria Beckham, a limited edition photograph signed by Sir Elton John and a signed Craig David guitar in our Christmas appeal auction, which closes on Thursday.
The auction includes once in a lifetime holidays and unique experiences – such as tickets to Sir Elton's Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, as well as a limited edition photograph by Terry O’Neill and artist David Studwell of the singer at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Ms Beckham has offered to give a reader the chance to benefit from her styling advice. The pop star turned designer will select clothing and accessories from her collections during a private session at her flagship store in Dover Street, Mayfair.
Theatre lovers can bid for otherwise sold-out top seats for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical Hamilton, and other highlights include a toy hamper from Harrods and a football shirt signed by Tottenham Hotspur players. All proceeds will go towards our AIDSfree appeal.
A quarter of HIV-positive people worldwide do not know their status. The Independent and Evening Standard campaign, together with the Elton John AIDS Foundation, is working to expand access to HIV testing and get people onto treatment that saves lives and prevents them passing on the virus.
Up to £2m of the money raised will be matched by the government as part of UK Aid Match funding granted to the campaign.
The primary beneficiaries will be young men and women at high risk of contracting HIV in cities including Maputo, in Mozambique, and Nairobi, Kenya.
Our auction is powered by Givergy, an award-winning fundraising technology company which offers platforms to help charities make more money at events and online. Readers can bid using the link at the bottom of this article.
The auction ends at 10pm on 13 December.
Personal styling session with Victoria Beckham
A fashionista’s dream. Readers have the chance to bid for a one-to-one personal styling session with Victoria Beckham, during which the designer will give advice on the best cuts and colours for the reader to wear. After the appointment – at the VB flagship store at 36 Dover Street – the lucky bidder will take home £5,000-worth of clothes and accessories – picked out by the designer. The session will take place on a mutually agreed date in 2019.
Sir Elton John special
A perfect gift for any fan of Sir Elton: a one-off photograph signed by the pop star and two tickets to the singer’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. The print is by world-renowned photographer Terry O’Neill and innovative artist David Studwell and depicts Sir Elton performing at the Dodger Stadium. It is signed by Sir Elton and Mr O’Neill. The premium tickets can be used at any of the remaining farewell tour dates around the world for a show that will include hits from throughout Sir Elton’s extraordinary career.
Thailand holiday
Readers keen to combine luxury with eco-friendly ethics have the chance to snap up a stay with Asia’s first single use plastic free hotel group – in five-star comfort. Carbon-neutral bookings are available in the centre of Bangkok and along the peaceful beachfront of Chiang Mai with the Akaryn Hotel Group. The bidder can choose their destination for a five-night stay, including breakfast and spa sessions. Flights are not included and dates are subject to availability.
Best seats in the house at ‘Hamilton’
Fresh from winning Best Musical at the 2018 Evening Standard Theatre Awards, Broadway hit Hamilton, a rap and song-filled musical about the life of an American Founding Father, has taken the West End by storm, with tickets selling out within minutes of being released and top seats at the Victoria Palace Theatre almost impossible to come by. One lucky bidder can bag some of the best seats in the house to see actors bring to life Lin-Manuel Miranda’s multiple award-winning modern classic.
Spend a day at London Fashion Week with the digital fashion editor of the Evening Standard
London Fashion Week draws celebrities and top designers from around the globe each February. Behind-the-scenes tours are rare but one fashion-loving reader will be able to reap the benefits of a press pass and spend a full day near the catwalk with one of the Evening Standard’s digital fashion editors. Expect knowhow commentary and the chance to rub shoulders with the who’s who of the fashion world.
Harrods Toy Hamper
Harrods is one of the world’s foremost Christmas shopping destinations, both for its magnificent Santa’s grotto and its gift options. This Christmas, one bidder will make a child very happy with a cuddly toy filled hamper worth £3,000. It includes collectable items such as a Steiff Najumo monkey and bear, a Siro panda made from mohair, a Steiff white Bengal tiger worth £479, and a limited edition Harrods Bear.
Signed guitar from Craig David
Fans of the pop star have the chance to get their hands on a signed guitar from Craig David’s collection. The Brit and Grammy award nominated singer and songwriter will gift one successful bidder a guitar from his recording studio.
Three nights at a 42-acre farmhouse in Somerset
Readers looking for a post-Christmas Zen detox can bid for the chance to spend a long weekend practising pilates and yoga from a 17-bedroom farmhouse on 42 acres of land in Somerset. Run by Our Retreat, the three-day welcoming programme includes mindful morning yoga classes, guided meditations and restorative evening yoga sessions as well as workshops and guided country walks. Private chefs will prepare meals and protein shakes. The package is for two people and dates are subject to availability.
Zafiro Palace Hotels stay
Couples looking for the ideal five-star luxury long weekend retreat, can bid to stay at Zafiro Palace Hotels in Mallorca. Lots include accommodation in sought-after suites boasting private pools and rooftop jacuzzis overlooking manicured gardens and the sea. Flights are not included and dates are subject to availability.
Private lunch for 10 at Christie’s
Art-lovers will jump at the chance of a specialist tour of the St James’s headquarters of the world famous art business. Christie’s is offering one of its expert guides through the works of art on display on its feted walls, followed by the chance to enjoy a private three-course dining experience in the historic boardroom, complete with fine wines and champagne. The occasion must be booked for an available weekday by 31 October 2019.
Christian Adams cartoon
His arrival at the Evening Standard last year heralded the return of the political cartoon to the newspaper’s pages. Adams’ brilliant work pokes fun at the powerful and shines a light on inequality. Readers can bid to be the proud owner of this original work, published this year in the Evening Standard.
Dave Brown cartoon
Dave Brown, The Independent’s award-winning political cartoonist, is a master at holding the pompous and powerful to account. Bid to be the proud owner of an original signed work, published this year in The Independent.
Signed Spurs shirt
Tottenham Hotspur fans can get their hands on a home shirt signed by the team.
Bill’s Luxury Hamper
A luxurious Bill’s hamper would be a Christmas delight for anyone. The popular restaurant’s offering involves a traditional wicker basket filled to the brim with its London dry gin and champagne as well as hand-made preserves and a signature teapot.
London Zoo day out
An exclusive behind the scenes look at London Zoo would make a brilliant day out for any family. This backstage tour of the world’s oldest scientific zoo will involve an expert explaining the efforts being made to save creatures in the wild.
Remember, the auction closes on Thursday, 13 December at 10pm
You can bid on these wonderful auction lots at www.givergy.com/charity/aidsfree
