The annual Lighthouse Gala Auction in aid of Terrence Higgins Trust on Monday raised an incredible £147,000 for Terrence Higgins Trust, the charity which provides vital services for people living with HIV in the UK.  The event was held at Christie’s auction rooms in St James’s.  The auction room was packed with supporters including Tracey Emin, Jasmine Guinness, Nori Starck, Philip and Wendy Knatchbull, Emma Gibbs, Miranda Sawyer, Alastair Stewart, Kirsten O’Brien, Howell James and Richard Arnold.  This was the auction’s seventh year and brings the total raised by this event over those seven years to more than one million pounds.

Highlights of the auction included:

• The last minute inclusion of a self portrait donated by Tracey Emin which raised £3,600
• A lunch date with Jackie Collins in Hollywood which sold for £5,000
• An original work by sculptor Shaun Brosnan which sold for £7,800
• A butler for a day which sold for £800
• Flying trapeze lessons at Zippos circus which sold for £1,600
• A year's supply of Krispy Kreme doughnuts that went for £2,000

Guests enjoyed delicious canapés from The Admirable Crichton followed by Krispy Kreme doughnuts, all washed down with Piper Heidsieck champagne and Grey Goose vodka martinis.

Also on offer to guests was the ‘Box of Delights’, gift boxes containing mystery prizes from the likes of Tiffany & Co, Hermes, Fortnum & Mason, David Linley, Claridges, The Dorchester and Stella McCartney.

Lots including a pair of Phillipe Starck dumb-bells and a set of Pickett luggage were modelled by the muscle-bound Fantasy Boys.

Ends