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Monday, 13 May, 2002, 15:29 GMT 16:29 UK
Beckhams' bash boosts charity
The Beckhams staged an oriental evening for their guests
The Beckhams staged an oriental evening for their guests
An auction held by Victoria and David Beckham for the NSPCC children's charity is expected to raise about �400,000.

The celebrity couple threw a star-studded World Cup garden party on Sunday to bid farewell to the England football team.

The couple's Hertfordshire mansion - nicknamed Beckingham Palace - hosted the Japanese-style celebration.

About 400 guests from the world of showbusiness and football were invited to the oriental-themed party.

Sir Elton John, Cilla Black, Vivienne Westwood, Joan Collins and Jamie Oliver mixed with football stars including England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, Michael Owen, David Seaman, Teddy Sheringham and Joe Cole.

Bidding war

The highlight of the evening was the charity auction hosted by TV stars Ant and Dec.

Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall and Jamie Oliver launched a bidding war over a pair of Beckham's old football boots.

With the price at �29,000, Beckham intervened and promised a second pair of signed boots if the duo both paid up, which they did.

Vivienne Westwood
David Beckham has worn Vivienne Westwood's designs
Multi-millionaire George Downing paid �20,000 for his son to have a private training session with Beckham, and Oliver forked out another �14,000 for two tickets to see all England's World Cup games.

Other celebrity bidders included actor Ray Winstone, who shelled out �8,000 on a magnum of champagne.

A holiday for eight in Antigua fetched �35,000 while a golf lesson from Nick Faldo went for �27,000.

No expense was spared on the Far East theme.

On the menu was asparagus and shitake mushrooms on green tea noodles, platters of beef satay and chilled monkfish.

Jemma Kidd
Model Jemma Kidd was among the first to arrive
A marquee was erected and guests were greeted by Japanese geisha girls.

And the dress code was described as "white tie and diamonds".

Entertainment was provided by opera singer Russell Watson, soul singer Beverley Knight and Radio 1 DJs.

The NSPCC will also benefit from a sum given by ITV to televise the event.

A spokesman for the charity said: "We're very grateful the NSPCC will be given the profits from the party being held by David and Victoria as they are long-term supporters of the charity and their work in the past has been invaluable."

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News image The BBC's Jane Warr
"The dress code for the extravaganza is 'white tie and diamonds'"
See also:

11 May 02 | England
Beckham signs new contract
07 May 02 | England
Beckham on course for World Cup
23 Feb 02 | Showbiz
Bets are on for Beckham baby
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