CELEBRITIES and local people in Winchester have pledged their support to a massive auction of promises for terminally-ill children.

Ready Steady Cook star and local boy James Martin, and Capital Radios Mike Osman will among the guests at the auction in aid of the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

The event is taking place in the Great Hall on October 16.

Proceeds from the night will be used to grant wishes to children suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

The evening will include drinks, dinner, disco, a fundraising tombola and the auction.

Going under the hammer will be a dinner party for six, courtesy of James Martin, a VIP day at Power in Portsmouth, and a days clay pigeon shooting with international instructor Desmond Sturgess, as well as other prizes from the fire and police services.

Local companies which would like to get involved or are interested in booking tickets should contact Claudine Keigher on 01962 855528.

Since 1986, the Make-a-Wish Foundation has granted more than 1,400 wishes to children aged three to 18 with life-threatening illnesses.

The wishes are as varied as the children themselves from swimming with dolphins to shaking hands with Mickey Mouse.

The British Motorcyclist Federation is also aiming to help the Make-a-Wish Foundation when members ride into Winchester for its annual grand toy run. Hundreds of bikers will be meeting at Badger Farm Community Centre, near Sainsburys, on September 26.

The group will then travel en masse to the foundations offices and deliver toys.

Bikers can either meet at Badger Farm or join the group ride into Winchester at noon.

Everyone meets at the westbound lay-by of the A31 at Alton, just past the junction with the A32. Please bring along a toy or two.

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