Ritz with Rod helps charity auction

9:02pm Sunday 9th November 2008

Tea at The Ritz with Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster was one of the prizes up for grabs at a charity auction.

£1 million was raised for The Prince's Trust to help young people find work.

Stars including Tamsin Egerton, Jenson Button and Claudia Winkleman were joined by London's financial community to bid for luxury lots at Old Billingsgate, east London.

The Prince's Trust Invest in Futures Gala Dinner and Charity Auction was hosted by Ben Elton last night and starred a performance by singer Bryan Adams.

Prizes included a flight with The Red Arrows, artwork by The Prince of Wales, a chance to meet Donatella Versace at Milan Fashion Week and the opportunity to rub shoulders with Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole at The X Factor.

An Asprey necklace modelled by Egerton raised £50,000 alone.

Bryan Adams said: "It is an honour for me to perform at such an incredible event which raises a huge amount of money for The Prince's Trust.

"Support from the financial community is more important now than ever and The Prince's Trust is giving young people the skills and confidence to get into work in this increasingly uncertain global climate."

Martina Milburn, chief executive of The Prince's Trust, said: "We are delighted to have fantastic support from the financial community.

"The money raised will help disadvantaged young people into jobs, which is more vital than ever during the economic downturn."