Christmas Appeal: Pruning with Pavord, or backhand with Bollettieri?

Monday 19 December 2005 20:00 EST

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With only three days to go until the hammer goes down on The Independent Christmas auction, bidding is getting serious. The two most popular lots are a trip to the Tower of London with Tracey Emin, at £3,600 last night, and a lunchtime lecture and questions with Robert Fisk on Islam and the West, for up to 12 people in The Independent's boardroom (£3,000 yesterday evening).

But there are still bargains to be had. Our gardening columnist Anna Pavord's offer of expert advice on transforming your garden currently stands at £1,950, as opposed to £3,500 last year. And if it is your emotional welfare that requires tending, you can talk through your problems with our agony aunt, Virginia Ironside. Bidding was at a bargain £250 last night.

Another bargain is the offer of a day out at Lord's for a whole cricket team's worth of children (including a 12th man - as well as an accompanying adult for each child). The group will watch a Middlesex game and later enjoy some coaching from Angus Fraser, the former England player, and Independent columnist. Bidding stood at £1,400 yesterday.

Or if your child is hoping to become a Wimbledon star, then Nick Bollettieri, tennis coach and Independent columnist, is offering a week's scholarship for a junior player at his training centre in Florida. (The offer does not include airfare or transfers.) Bidding is £755, compared to £3,000 in 2004.

The auction closes at 1pm this Friday. All winning bids go to our Christmas appeal, A Better Place. Donations are split among three charities: Education Action International, Children in Crisis and Practical Action.

* A Better Place charity auction: bid now!

* A Better Place: Donate now!

* A Better Place: Full appeal links.