Online auction offers chance to help

Following on from the success of last year's auction, readers will again be able to log onto the Yorkshire Post website and place bids for a selection of special prizes, with all the money going towards this newspaper's Communities in Need appeal.

Among the selection of lots which will be up for grabs during the first week of the auction are a Betty's cookery course, a behind-the-scenes tour of the House of Commons, and two VIP tickets to the Bradford International Film Festival.

Readers can also bid for West Yorkshire Playhouse tickets, a year's supply of organic vegetables from Riverford Organic, or the chance to be Yorkshire Post business editor for the day.

New lots will be announced every week in the drive to raise funds for the appeal, which is being supported by accountancy firm Grant Thornton.

Jonathan Riley, managing partner of the company's Leeds office, said: "The team at Grant Thornton is delighted to be supporting the Yorkshire Post Christmas Appeal for the second year running.

"We hope that once again the business community in Yorkshire will show their support of the initiative, as they did in 2009.

"I believe that as the economy gets tougher, it's up to strong businesses in the region to step up their responsibility to the communities they work in, and to help those who are vulnerable or in need.

"Good business is not just about having a strong reputation in the business world, it's about having an equally strong reputation in the community."

The bidding will open on Saturday at www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/christmasappeal – visit the website for more details.