Charity auctions are the latest way that big spending philanthropists in the UK can make high profile donations – a culture that has traditi...

Charity auctions are the latest way that big spending philanthropists in the UK can make high profile donations – a culture that has traditionally been most prevalent in the US. There are now more high net worth individuals with more disposable money than ever ready to take part in charity bashes, like the Beckham’s full length and fabulous party, which recently raised £2 million ($3.67 million) for children’s charities. The French financier, Arki Busson raised a record £18 million for his charity, Ark, according to The Sunday Times, at an event which featured Elton John singing to guests who included Bob Geldof and Anish Kapoor. Sotheby’s said it has sold £13 million worth of exotic charity lots to philanthropic bidders so far this year, demonstrating that charities are benefiting from this type of activity more than ever before. The NSPCC’s Dream Auction alone raised £5.1 million. Prizes included a helicopter trip to Paris to explore the world of couture fashion culminatiing with dinner with the designer Valentino. Another package to St Moritz gave the winner the chance to do the Cresta Run. This new trend is a marked departure from anonymous donating which the UK’s HNWs are famous for. People on today’s charity circuit are a cosmopolitan bunch, and those at the top who are willing to spend thousands to have a game of golf with Hugh Grant, are loading more PR on to their VIP status. The publicity opportunities dictate that the prizes involve celebrities. Ego tripping among double A list guests is a far cry from so-called “intelligent giving” such as the world of micro-finance loans, where small amounts of money can be used and re-used to target and improve people's lives. At the most visible end of the spectrum the ultimate goal must be, like the Beckhams or Mr Arki, to have your own charity. Mr Arki’s charity has earmarked for auction the following:

• The chance to work on a painting with Damien Hirst - £250,000
• Guitar lesson followed by dinner with Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow - £140,000
• Dinner with Elton John with tennis the next morning - £100,000
• Yoga with Sting - £70,000
• Weekend at P Diddy’s house in the Hamptons plus studio session - £150,000