Andy Murray, One Direction and Pele top charity auction list

The 2013 Wimbledon Champion Andy Murray has topped a list of memorabilia in most demand for charity auctions at events. In the world of music, the Rolling Stones are now trumped by One Direction.
 
The list has been compiled by Bidtech, which provides technology for hundreds of charity auctions each year for organisations such as Action Against Hunger and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Its research shows that Andy Murray and other top sporting names dominate the list of items that attract the most furious bidding at charity auctions. The most popular item (most bids received) was a tennis racquet signed by Andy Murray.
 
Sir Alex Ferguson also joins Murray on the list, as does the current World Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi. As well as people currently in the news, legendary sports stars Pele and Mohammed Ali also feature prominently. The highest bid in the research was £10,000 for a signed Muhammad Ali glove.
 
The late James Gandolfini also makes an appearance on the list after his recent death, appearing just ahead of Al Pacino and Daniel Craig.
 
“A celebrity’s pulling power can be hugely beneficial to charities and the research shows how Andy Murray’s recent achievements have afforded him a new level of fame and respect,” says Jane Jelly, spokesperson for Bidtech. “Understandably, people want to own a little piece of his legend and charities are able to capitalise on this fact.”
 
This data is captured by Bidtech’s iPad app that allows guests attending charity events to make silent bids of items donated as well as providing information about the charities involved and other ways in which guests can donate and get involved in supporting good causes.
 
Each celebrity is allocated points for the number of bids received, whether these bids exceeded the reserve price for the item and the overall amount of money their items have raised for charity.
 
Biggest Earning Celebrities for UK Charities – 2013:
 
1. Andy Murray
2. One Direction
3. Pele
4. Lionel Messi
5. Rolling Stones
6. Mohammed Ali
7. James Gandolfini
8. Sir Alex Ferguson
9. Al Pacino
10. Daniel Craig
 
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