Help The Hungry: Fayre of St James’s luxury silent auction to support our campaign partner

Gala throws weight behind Felix Project on tough year for charities, Abbianca Makoni reports

Emeli Sande is set to perform at The Fayre Of St James’s Christmas concert hosted by Quintessentially Foundation (Getty)

Luxury getaways, a masterclass from a leading environmental photographer and one-to-one sessions with a personal trainer – who has counted the prime minister among his clients – is on the card at a silent auction in support of our Help the Hungry campaign partner.

The celebrity-studded Fayre of St James’s annual fundraiser will see proceeds go to the Felix Project, the food redistribution charity that has been working with The Independent to tackle food poverty as part of our Help The Hungry campaign.

Spread across 13 days the auction, put on by the gala’s organisers at the Quintessentially Foundation includes the chance to bid on a two-night retreat at Daylesford Organic Farm in Gloucestershire – along with a luxury spa treatment and wine paired tasting menu.

Other lots include five one to one sessions at the Rosewood Hotel with celebrity personal trainer Harry Jameson – who was recently spotted out running with Boris Johnson – an interior planning consultation and £2,000 gift card for designer furniture brand Heal’s, and a two-hour masterclass with Italian fashion snapper-turned environmental photographer Enzo Barracco.

Co-founder of the Quintessentially Foundation, Ben Elliot, hopes the auction will go some way to offering support to the Felix Project, the fundraiser’s other benefactor The Childhood Trust, and the people both organisations serve.

“As you can imagine, it has not been an easy year for charities", he said.

“During the Covid-19 crisis, both charities have been needed more than ever to provide vital support for disadvantaged people who are struggling with poverty, hunger, homelessness, stress, loneliness and anxiety.

“The festive period provides the perfect opportunity for us to reach an increased number of people and in turn support even more people in the difficult winter ahead.”

Other luxury items in the 64-lot auction include a VIP family day in the Wiltshire countryside at Longleat Safari Park, and a one-week Scottish getaway that includes a round at Gleneagles championship golf course.

The foundation’s star-studded annual event has headed online this year for a Christmas concert hosted by Stephen Fry with performances from Emeli Sande and Craig David.

The foundation hopes to raise £250,000 for the two charities from the auction with tickets for the 1 December event available for £30 through the organisation’s website.

This November and December we will be delivering food directly to 1,000 people a day through our partner With Compassion. Please donate here to help us do all we can to ensure no one goes hungry this Christmas.