Going, Going, Gone: MayDay Charity Auction by Sotheby’s Raises Funds For IRC

Going once, going twice, and sold! Sotheby’s and Google are partnering for a MayDay charity auction, offering unique virtual experiences with some of the world’s most famous personalities. Bidding is open from May 1st until May 8th and all the proceeds will go to the International Rescue Committee. The charity provides relief from Covid-19 to the world’s most vulnerable communities.

Virtual Experiences on Offer

Sing with Sting, have a virtual cup of coffee with Hillary Clinton, receive a virtual class on Shakespeare from Sir Patrick Stewart (who also does a sonnet a day here) or have a virtual conversation with Apollo 9 astronaut Russel Schweickart. These are just four of 24 experiences on offer, so have a look at Sotheby’s webpage dedicated to the MayDay charity auction for more details. All experiences will be offered online through Google Meet and can last from 15 minutes to one hour, depending on the type of experience you want. Winning bidders will also be able to share their experience with a key worker, should they wish to.

About the International Rescue Committee

The International Rescue Committee was founded at the request of Albert Einstein in 1933 to help European refugees during the Second World War. The charity now works in 40 countries and 26 US cities, helping people whose livelihoods have been shattered because of political or economical situations in their home countries. During Covid-19 times, the International Rescue Committee is working hard to help vulnerable communities in countries with healthcare systems weakened by wars or other humanitarian crises. According to the institution’s website, refugees living in camps in Syria, Greece, and Bangladesh are also at risk, given that these are the most densely populated areas in the world. Researchers estimate that they are up to 8.5 times more densely populated than the Diamond Princes cruise ship, where transmission of the virus was four times faster than in Wuhan, China. Want to help out? Consider donating directly to the International Rescue Committee, every little bit counts!