Less than an hour to bid for prizes in our Christmas charity auction

This week's charity auction lots – which will make special gifts – close at 5pm, before next week's choice goes online. Bid now

You could be taken around the House of Commons with Harrogate MP Andrew Jones, and get there and back in style with first-class rail travel from East Coast.

Bettys Cookery School is offering readers the chance to improve their skills in the kitchen with a full-day practical course at its centre in Harrogate.

Readers could also bid for a family rover ticket on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which entitles two adults and up to four children to a free ride on the line from Pickering to Whitby.

Phil Bustard, marketing manager of the railway, said: "It is stunning, unspoilt scenery for 24 miles of national park and an hour and a half of journey time.

"We are the world's most popular heritage steam railway and last year more than 350,000 people rode on the line."

The journey is sure to give passengers a great view of rural landscapes and a special glance back in time at old railway stations from days gone by.

Other lots include a two-night package at Harrogate's luxury hotel and golf course Rudding Park, and four VIP tickets to a Night at the Opera at Ripley Castle next month – part of the White Rose Winter Festival.

Readers can also bid for a year's membership of Yorkshire Agricultural Society, with entry to the Great Yorkshire Show and Countryside Live.

For those who are equestrian aficionados, bid for the Dante Festival at York Racecourse and you will receive four owners' badges, lunch in the owners' and trainers' club and all the other benefits of a County Stand pass.

And if you think you can do a better job than Bernard Ginns, why not bid to become Business Editor of the Yorkshire Post for a day?

The Yorkshire Post has teamed up with the Community Foundation Network for the appeal.

Its chief executive, Stephen Hammersley, said: "I want to applaud the Yorkshire Post.

"They are highlighting the plight of those with poorer life chance but also the change that can happen with the help of resourceful people.

"Not only are readers becoming aware of outrageous inequalities but that there are large communities of people out there trying to right these wrongs."

If none of the above lots whet your appetite, you could bid for a year's supply of seasonal produce from Riverford Organic Vegetables.

Or go for two tickets for any West Yorkshire Playhouse performance and an overnight stay at the new Leeds City Inn.

New lots will be announced in the Yorkshire Post tomorrow to raise funds for the appeal, which is sponsored by Grant Thornton.