BID for a chance to share an afternoon tea with actress Joanna Lumley OBE and help raise funds for Salisbury-based Gurkha Welfare Trust.

The auction prize is for two guests to meet and chat with Joanna over some light refreshments at at The Ritz in Mayfair, London.

Joanna, whose father served in the 6th Gurkha Rifles, is vice patron of The Gurkha Welfare Trust.

The opportunity to meet Joanna is just one of several items up for grabs in the auction which runs from August 24 to 31.

Other prizes include a Chelsea FC football shirt signed by the Premier League winning 16-17 squad, a flight in Bremont Watches’ vintage Broussard plane and a tour of their factory as well as Pol Roger Champagne.

As charities across the UK struggle with their fundraising efforts due to Covid-19, The Gurkha Welfare Trust is hoping the auction will raise some much-needed funds to support its vital work in Nepal.

The charity's head of fundraising and communications, Adam Bentham, said: “We are doing everything we can to make up the inevitable fall in income. Many of the veterans and widows we support in Nepal are in their 80’s, 90’s and even 100’s, lying in some of the most vulnerable categories against Covid-19.

“Nepal has no National Health Service, and as such, these veterans, their widows and communities need our support more than ever. We’re determined to not let this economic climate affect their quality of life.”

Adam added: “We really hope our supporters will get behind the online auction and we attract some top bids. A huge dhanyabad (thank you) goes to all of the companies and individuals who have donated the items up for auction.”

For more information go to gwt.org.uk/auction