Chance to attend Britain's Got Talent semi-final, win Ed Sheeran’s remote controlled Batmobile and join Jeremy Kyle for lunch in Ultimate Charity Auction

barbara.eeles@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Published: 10:10, 22 March 2019

| Updated: 10:12, 22 March 2019

You might expect one of the world’s biggest online charity auctions to be run from a slick office in a city skyscraper.

Discovering it is put together by two people in a farm office in Suffolk can be a big surprise, according to founder, Gina Long MBE.

Philanthropist and veteran fundraiser Gina says: “People expect us to be based in London” she says. “They can’t believe it when they find out where we are.”

The Ultimate Charity Auction has so far raised more than £1 million for a range of good causes.

GeeWizz charity auction. Picture: Mecha Morton.

It still reaches its global audience from the office of Hall Farm, Fornham which Gina shares with her husband Andrew. It was where she launched her very first online auction in 2008.

This year’s sale has just opened and, once again, a host of outstanding, money-cannot-buy lots are up for grabs.

Among them are artist’s proofs of two of the most iconic photographs ever taken of the Beatles, and a Lego model made by pop superstar Ed Sheeran.

Bidders have until April 11 to bid for lots that include unique items and experiences. Donors range from Barcelona Football Club to Jeremy Kyle to a host of local businesses.

Profits will be shared by the GeeWizz charity which provides specialist equipment to children and young adults in Suffolk and Norfolk with life-threatening conditions, disability or cancer – set up by Gina four years ago – and the charity work of the League Managers’ Association.

Gina says: “When I started, I wanted to do something that would capture the world’s imagination. An online auction had never been done on that scale before.”

The event began as Sir Bobby’s Breakthrough Online Auction - named after ex-England football manager the late Sir Bobby Robson - and supported a project very close to his heart.

He had set up a foundation to equip a cancer drug trial centre at the Newcastle hospital where he was being treated for the disease.

“Bobby was a very dear family friend of ours,” said Gina. “He wanted to raise £500,000 and described it as like being at the helm of a team again – his last and greatest team.”

Proceeds from her first auction, which raised £263,000, were split between the foundation and Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

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Ultimate Charity Auction - Lorraine Kelly.

From the start, the football world lent huge support. Every year the UK’s top clubs including most Premiership teams give fans thrilling offers to bid for. Jose Mourinho once gave his prized Coach of the World trophy, which sold for £26,000.

This year, a chance to see Barcelona FC – also on board from day one - train and play at its world famous Nou Camp is among the prizes.

Also on offer is an exclusive VIP trip to New York to see boxing world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua fight Jarrell Miller, including two pairs of personalised boxing gloves.

Renowned international photographer Tom Murray has given rare artist’s proofs of two of his images from the Beatles Mad Day Out photo session.

In one, Nowhere Man, a man dozes on a bench unaware he is surrounded by the most famous band in the world. Gina hopes publicity for the auction might reveal who he was.

Ant and Dec have given tickets to the semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent, and there are studio visits to meet Lorraine Kelly and Jeremy Kyle.

Ed Sheeran fans can bid for a one-off photographic image, signed by Ed and created by internationally-acclaimed artist Adam Klodzinski, also known as SOAP. Memorabilia like Ed’s skateboard and harmonica are also on offer.

“They were donated by Ed to another auction and bought by an anonymous donor who has given them to us,” said Gina, whose contacts from a lifetime of fundraising are crucial to securing top quality prizes.

All items can be viewed at www.charitystars.com/foundation/ the-ultimate-charity-auction-supporting-geewizz-and-lma/new

Ultimate Charity Auction logo.

The 2019 auction is managed by student Jade Perry, who is working part-time to help Gina. And that, apart from support from Crystal Barber and Daisy French who work for GeeWizz, is it. “Jade’s help has been essential – she has worked so hard,” said Gina, who ensures all money raised by GeeWizz is spent locally and transparently. “Our small team has been overwhelmed by the 100 incredible prizes we have been given,”

Some money raised this year will help the family of 22 month-old Emily Mullen, who is terminally-ill and blind, take her to Disney-land.

ALL THE LIVE PRIZES

1 Ant and Dec invite you to be their guests at the Britain’s Got Talent Semi-Final

2 Twitter First Steps Service for your Business

3 VIP Training Day for 4 with Blackburn Rovers FC

4 Opportunity to train with the Bristol City FC First Team Squad followed by Lunch with the Manager

5 Be Guests of Burton Albion FC and enjoy a pre-match meal for 4 at a Home Fixture

6 Win a two-night stay at luxurious Champneys Tring Health Club and Spa

7 Executive Box Seats to watch Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge

8 Official Shirt signed by members of the Chelsea FC first team

9 Signed Copy of David Walliams’ New Book ‘The Ice Monster’

10 Derby County FC invite you for a behind-the-scenes tour of Pride Park Stadium