The 2005 Ball is being kindly sponsored by RBS (Lead Sponsor), with co-sponsors Airbus Financial Services, Airfinance/Euromoney Publications, Boeing and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. The Ball and auction are again being held for the benefit of ORBIS.

Thanks to the amazing goodwill and participation of the aviation community at last year's auction, over EUR150,000 was raised for OBRIS. These funds helped support the ORBIS DC-10 Flying Eye Hospital in its mission to eliminate avoidable blindness in the world's poorest countries by working in partnership with local health professionals and communities by 'training the trainer'.

Because places at the Ball are limited, and the items donated for auction are so spectacular, the Committee has responded to requests to accept commissioned bids on the items listed below. To register your bid please respond by return email by close of business on Tuesday January 25th, to awhyte@euromoneyplc.com indicating the Lot Number, your contact details (including mobile number so that you can be contacted live during the evening), your bid price in Euros, your credit card details and your email address.. No commission bids after that date will be considered.

Remember - think big and feel doubly good because each euro you spend will not only bring pleasure to you, but also work hard towards alleviating blindness in the developing world!

Auction

1. Virgin Territory
VIP access for two to the Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer Challenge Mission Control in Salina, Kansas, experiencing first hand the record breaking attempt on the first solo, non-stop, non-refueled circumnavigation of the world by Steve Fossett. Return economy flights on Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow and 7 nights accommodation included. The successful bidder must be available to fly from Heathrow to Kansas anytime within a two week period from January 30th. Terms and Conditions apply*

The successful bidder will be flown on the Team Virgin flight from Heathrow to Kansas via New York, with journalists, VIPs, GF team etc. Accommodation provided for 7 nights, you will have VIP access to Mission control and be part of the team for the whole period of the Challenge. You will be flown back to Heathrow with the team, courtesy of Virgin Atlantic.
(Kindly sponsored by Virgin Atlantic)

2. Top Gun - The Triple Dare Challenger for Two
For those dare-devils out there... 3 amazing challenges... not for the faint hearted !
Tandem Skydive experience in the UK for two people, including briefing on skydiving and landing, you're taken up by plane, secured to instructor who will help you jump, open parachute and control your decent while you check out the view – not one for those of afraid of heights ! Motor Racing experience for two in at Brands Hatch, including briefing on safety and high speed driving, session in a race prepared sports car and a solo drive in a single seater racing car. And finally, if you are still up to it, the ultimate challenge, an hour each for you and a friend to imitate Tom Cruise and Iceman in the Eurofighter Simulator based in Munich (this adventure needs to be taken the weekend of the 22nd to 24th of April 2005). Included is luxury twin accommodation in the superb Munich Mandarin Oriental Hotel for two nights to soothe your frayed nerves and economy flights to Munich from any European destination.
(Kindly sponsored by Clifford Chance, Allen & Overy and EADS N.V.)

3. Sunny Caribbean Sea
The prize features a 6 night, 7 day ultra all-inclusive stay in suite accommodation at any Sandals resort in Jamaica complete with personal butler service and two First Class return Air Jamaica tickets from London or Manchester. The offer is subject to black-out dates and will need to be confirmed 30 days in advance.
(Kindly sponsored by Sandals Resort and Air Jamacia)

4. A Superb Lineout
The rugby enthusiasts dream auction item. Two stand tickets to Ireland/England on February 27th at Landsdowne Road, lunch and maybe some free tax advice with KPMG ! Four Rugby Tickets to Harlequins v Worcester on February 19th with hospitability from Norton Rose. An All Blacks Rugby Jersey (the last of the original All Blacks Jerseys) signed and addressed to Flight for Sight by Jonah Lomu and a rugby ball signed by Matt Giteau, Bill Young, Jeremy Paul and Matt Henjak - members of the Wallabies Rugby team who successfully beat England on 27 November 2004 !
(Kindly sponsored by KPMG, Norton Rose, Macquaire Bank Dublin and Macquaire Aviation Capital)

5. Flying High, Scoring Low
This amazing experience will take three golf enthusiasts on a day return helicopter trip from Dublin to the Greg Norman designed Doonbeg Links course to play a 3 Ball with Barry Power (Ireland's No. 1 Corporate Golf Professional). Relax en route in a state of the art corporate helicopter (complete with reclining seats, special "quiet interior" and drop down DVD screens) while Barry gives invaluable golf tips. The package includes 3 one-on-one golf lessons with Barry, recorded to your own personal DVD to replay whenever you need that special reminder! The offer will be subject to black-out dates and will normally be confirmed 14 days in advance before end March '05. At a later date, after you and you your friends have perfected your golfing skills, you can head off to play a 4 ball at Druids Glen in Wicklow.
(Kindly sponsored by Doonbeg, Starair, Barry Power and Pembroke Group)

6. The European Opera Buff
Two of the best seats in the house to see Pavarotti in Concert on May 28th, 2005 at the Point in Dublin, with an Art lovers' overnight stay including breakfast at the luxury Merrion Hotel off Merrion Square with free entrance to the Irish National Gallery for two. And finally, the plat de résistance, bid for veritable gold dust, two tickets to see Pelléas et Mélisande by Claude Debussy on Saturday November 12th, 2005 at the world renowned La Scala Opera House in Milan. La Scala has only recently re-opened its doors after an extensive refurbishment and only a small number of opera are being performed in the old Opera house this year. While in Milan you will also enjoy a two night stay at recently opened superb Four Seasons Hotel.
(Kindly sponsored by RBS Milan, Domhnal Slattery/Four Seasons and Maples & Calder)

7. Off the Wall
Painting Entitled "Dark Moods 2000" by prize winning artist Tom Coates (British, Born 1941).
(Kindly sponsored by John and Cearúil Morrissey)

8. The Aviator
Experience one hour's flying time in Boeing's 737 or 757 Simulator at Gatwick Airport. Included in this lot is the ability to look like the real thing in a fabulous man's leather and sheepskin original Invin Flying Jacket (Size 46) donated by AAR Corporation and to top it all off the ultimate set of classic aircraft models, representing the commercial future and the defense past: an A380 Model, a Boeing 7E7 Model, and miniature Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane models.
(Kindly sponsored by Boeing, Airbus and AAR Corporation)

9. Off Piste!
Ski weekend in Telluride, Colorado. Enjoy three nights in a three bedroom luxurious suite in fabulous Telluride, Colorado at the Wyndham Peaks Resort and Golden Door Spa ranked by Conde Naste Traveler as one of the two best spas in the United States. To complete this fabulous weekend enjoy $1,000 in resort vouchers for skiing, golf or spa treatments. (No flights included).
(Kindly sponsored by Republic Financial Corporation)

10. Barcelona Big Top
Travel to Barcelona on Saturday April 9th, to see the amazing Canadian based Cirque du Soleil in action their latest production "Dralion". The far-eastern inspired show features 56 artists from 8 countries and is a fusion of ancient Chinese circus tradition with the avant-garde approach of the Cirque du Soleil. The prize includes a night in a deluxe room at the centrally located five star Le Meridian hotel and British Airways flight vouchers towards flights to Barcelona.
(Kindly sponsored by RBC Capital Markets)

11. Diamonds of Indulgence
Gift of Indulgence at the Urban Retreat at Harrods which includes: manicure, pedicure, facial, massage, Bobby Brown make up and Champagne lunch. Afterwards stay overnight at the superb Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Knightsbridge in your own double bedroom (full English breakfast also included). To top all this off on your night in London you can arrive complete with your very own "bling" in the form of a fabulous white gold and diamond cross valued at over €1,500.
(Kindly sponsored by White & Case and AMT Sybex)

12. And it's a Goal
Two tickets European Champions League: Arsenal V Bayern Munich on March 9th, 2005 with kick off at 19.45. West Stand Upper tier top quality seats. Meal before the game at Leicester Square restaurant with Phil Seymour or another IBA host!
(Kindly sponsored by IBA)

13. Absolut Artic Experience
Voucher for a night stay in an Ice Suite at the world famous Ice Hotel near Kiruna in Sweden. While there you will also enjoy an hour and a half Dogsled tour for two through the locale and afterwards be able to warm yourself up with vodka shots in the now legendary Absolut Ice Bar - a unique experience !
(Kindly sponsored by Volito AB)

14. Central Perk
Enjoy four nights in the wonderfully spacious GATX two bedroom apartment located at Essex House Hotel, Manhattan. The apartment has amazing views over Central Park and sleeps 6 people comfortably. Flights are not included in this prize.
(Kindly sponsored by GATX Air)

Terms & Conditions

*Auction Item 1 – Virgin Territory

* Virgin GF team will need confirmation of successful bidders' names the morning immediately after the Ball.
* There will be a weather-check on Jan 28th and if the weather is suitable, the bidder will fly from Heathrow to Kansas via New York on 30th January 2005 and be away for 7 nights. If the weather is not suitable, the bidder could fly to Kansas (with 48 hours notice) anytime in the following two weeks.
* There will be luggage limits, although not excessive, so the bidder will need to travel light.
* The GF team has requested that the successful bidder flies to and from the Challenge on the Virgin flights provided, and remains with the team for the whole period of the 7 day challenge.