Lots more on offer as bidders help young carers

Now another 10 lots are up for grabs as our Christmas appeal enters its third week of fundraising to give a break to children who look after sick or disabled loved ones.

Among the items going under the hammer this week is a networking lunch with business mogul Allan Leighton, once described as “the best connected man in the business world”.

The former Asda chief executive sold the supermarket to US retail giant Wal-Mart for £6.7bn and is famous for developing a new work ethic, “going plural”, taking on non-executive positions in a number of companies including lastminute.com, Dyson, BSkyB and Selfridges.

He was the longest serving chairman at Royal Mail and is currently chairman at Matalan, Office, Pace, Pandora and musicmagpie.co.uk.

The lot is worth the equivalent of £5,500 in consultancy time and also includes lunch at Rudding Park, Harrogate, and a signed copy of Mr Leighton’s latest book, Tough Calls, for each guest.

Also up for grabs is the experience the thrill of driving a Porsche Boxster 2.7cc for a weekend courtesy of JCT 600 – the perfect Christmas gift for any car fanatic.

A beautiful Azendi necklace worth £235 is also on offer. Set with honeycomb-cut olive-coloured cubic zirconia, the stunning silver pendant comes complete with a 22-inch sterling silver chain – another ideal present.

A signed copy of Michael Palin’s book Himalaya will appeal to anyone with an adventurous streak.

Donated by children’s charity Barnardo’s – which works with young carers across Yorkshire and the rest of the UK – the book charts the Monty Python star’s journey along the full length of the Himalaya, from the Pakistan-Afghan frontier through India, Nepal, 
Tibet and Yunnan in China, before re-crossing the mountains to Assam, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

Foodies will also be spoiled for choice with this week’s lots, which include lunch at the Michelin-starred Pipe and Glass Inn at South Dalton, East Yorkshire; a sausage hamper from Anna’s Happy Trotters in Howden, East Yorkshire; and a bespoke celebration cake from the Timble Tea and Dinner Service in Harrogate.

And for real ale-lovers there is a day out at the Black Sheep Brewery in Masham, North Yorkshire, to be bidded on.

Also on offer is a shirt and football signed by Bradford City’s 
first team and two tickets for the British Military Tournament at Earl’s Court on December 8 courtesy of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity – which benefited from last 
year’s Yorkshire Post Christmas appeal.

Bidding closes on this week’s lots at 5pm on Friday, November 30 and the next 10 will be announced the following day.

A further 10 lots will be announced on Saturday, December 8 and finally a handful of special items will then be offered via a sealed bid auction.

For full details of all the lots and to get bidding, visit www.yorkshirepost.co.uk and follow the auction links from our homepage.