An audience with Sir Alex Ferguson, playing in a football tournament at England’s St George’s Park, and watching Barcelona train at the Nou Camp are just some of the “fantastic” prizes up for grabs in the Ultimate Charity Auction 2017.

Ipswich Star: Campaigner and fundraiser Gina Long MBE, who founded charity GeeWizz and spearheads the annual Ultimate Charity Auction. Picture: LUCY TAYLORCampaigner and fundraiser Gina Long MBE, who founded charity GeeWizz and spearheads the annual Ultimate Charity Auction. Picture: LUCY TAYLOR (Image: Lucy Taylor Photography)

The Suffolk-based online auction, headed up by campaigner Gina Long MBE, has once again attracted stellar prizes from the world of sport, celebrity and lifestyle. It has raised more than £980,000 for local and national charities since it launched in 2012.

This year’s auction, which runs until December 13, will support the League Manager Association Charity – In The Game, and the GeeWizz charitable foundation, which is also run by Mrs Long.

The auction, which started life as Sir Bobby’s Online Auction in honour of the legendary England and Ipswich Town manager before extending its support to more charities, has always had close links with the football world.

Star prizes include a meet and greet with legendary former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson before watching the Red Devils in action, a chance to watch a Barcelona training session, and the opportunity to star in the next instalment of the Football Manager computer game – the world’s most popular football management game.

Mrs Long said: “The Ultimate Charity Auction has always captured the imagination of both donors and those bidding on the fantastic money-can’t-buy prizes.

“We are now back for a sixth year in support of some great causes, knowing that the auction really does make such a big difference to people’s lives.”

The auction will also this year support those battling mental health problems in football and, through GeeWizz, young people and families living with a disability or cancer.

Other fantastic lots this year include a chance to record your own single in a renowned Buckinghamshire recording studio, a VIP package for four people at the Badminton Horse Trials, a Sky Sports Gillette Soccer Saturday experience, and a VIP experience at PSV Eindhoven.

Mrs Long added: “I am incredibly humbled that the online auction has raised such an amazing figure for national and local charities and this is down to everyone’s generosity.

Ipswich Star: A premier experience for four guests at either the July Course or Rowley Mile racecourse in Newmarket is one of the prizes in the Ultimate Charity Auction 2017. Picture: SIMON COOPER/PA WIREA premier experience for four guests at either the July Course or Rowley Mile racecourse in Newmarket is one of the prizes in the Ultimate Charity Auction 2017. Picture: SIMON COOPER/PA WIRE (Image: PA Wire)

“This transparent platform has captured the imagination at home and abroad and we are looking forward to another exciting Ultimate Charity Auction.”

Richard Bevan, chief executive of the League Managers Association, said: “We are delighted to be one of the beneficiaries of the auction once again this year.

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported the Ultimate Charity Auction over the years. We never take this for granted and the money raised always make such a big difference.”

Ipswich Star: Watching Lionel Messi and other Barcelona stars train at the Nou Camp is also one of the prizes in the Ultimate Charity Auction 2017. Picture: AP PHOTO/LUCA BRUNOWatching Lionel Messi and other Barcelona stars train at the Nou Camp is also one of the prizes in the Ultimate Charity Auction 2017. Picture: AP PHOTO/LUCA BRUNO (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: A meet-and-greet session with Sir Alex Ferguson before watching Manchester United play at Old Trafford is also one of the top prizes in the Ultimate Charity Auction 2017. Picture: BRIAN LAWLESS/PA WIREA meet-and-greet session with Sir Alex Ferguson before watching Manchester United play at Old Trafford is also one of the top prizes in the Ultimate Charity Auction 2017. Picture: BRIAN LAWLESS/PA WIRE (Image: PA Wire)