Coldplay signed guitar on offer in Evening Standard’s charity auction

Give yourself or your loved ones a Christmas they will never forget with experiences that money can't buy from the London Evening Standard's charity auction, in aid of Kids Company. Visit www.standard.co.uk/auction.

The auction launches today and finishes at noon on Monday 14th.

For Music lovers:

§ Lily Allen is pop's current darling. Bid for two tickets to her concert at the 02, where she will be supported by Dizzee Rascal) in March 2010. The lucky winner will also be given a pair of trainers signed by Lily Allen

§ Listen to one of the bands of the moment in the most intimate setting imaginable. Sit in on one of London's Black Cab sessions.

§ Have a private tour of the British Music Experience at the O2

§ Making your music famous - bid for the chance to have the Evening Standard's Pop Critic David Smyth review your band

§ A coveted two weeks' internship at Island Records, mentored by the company's President, Darcus Beese

§ A personalised signed guitar by one of the world's biggest bands, Coldplay

Kids Company provides practical, emotional and educational support to 14,000 vulnerable children and young people. Many have experienced severe and multiple trauma. Often they live in chronic deprivation, with little or no support, and face the daily struggle of caring for their family as the roles of parent and child are reversed. The charity gives children hope by providing a safe, nurturing environment where support is tailored to the needs of each individual. They do whatever it takes to empower children who have experienced multiple challenges so that they can lead meaningful and happy lives.

Camila Batmanghelidjh, Founder and Director of Kids Company, said, "My heart trampolined into delight and awe because kind people pulled together to help London's most vulnerable children."

Other auction items include

§ A picture of you with Daniel Craig taken by Sam Taylor-Wood.
It really is the A-list prize to beat all A-list prizes - a portrait of you with James Bond star Daniel Craig taken by leading artist Sam Taylor-Wood, whose feature film directing debut Nowhere Boy is released later this month.

§ An art lesson with Tracey Emin.
Tracey Emin, the UK's most renowned artist, will give a two-hour art master class at the Serpentine Gallery, with Gallery Director Julia Peyton-Jones. Tracey Emin will share her secrets about how to become a great artist, and Julia Peyton-Jones will discuss how art should be exhibited. The whole event will be filmed for posterity.

§ Watch Test cricket at Lord's the Channel 5 way.
Cricket fans are in for an all-day treat, with this chance for two people to join Channel 5's Simon "the Analyst" Hughes in the media centre at Lord's for the Test against Bangladesh on May 29 2010. See all the action, meet the Channel 5 crew, and witness the behind-the-scenes banter of a live sports broadcast.

§ Arrive at work in a Rolls… driven by Rowan Atkinson.
As well as being one of the great of British comedy, Rowan Atkinson is a serious car buff, and he is offering to drive one lucky reader and three of their friends to work in his own Rolls

§ A guided tour of the Roald Dahl museum with his Dahl-ing grand-daughter.
Gorgeous supermodel Sophie Dahl will be the guide for up to five children on a tour next spring of the museum dedicated to her brilliant granddad Roald, who gave the world Fantastic Mr Fox, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and James and the Giant Peach. Prize includes tea in Café Twit.

§ Spend the day with Richard Branson.
He's Britain's best-loved businessman, who has rolled the Virgin brand out across music, airlines, trains, space tourism and his own charity, Virgin Unite. Now a lucky reader can shadow Sir Richard Branson for a day, as he does deals, meets with the famous and powerful, and visits the charity Kids Company, the beneficiary of our auction.

§ Ice cream in the park with a living saint.
He's the man behind Live Aid, Band Aid, the Big Breakfast and the Boomtown Rats, but today Sir Bob Geldof will be your companion on a springtime stroll around Battersea Park, complete with a go on the swings - if you're up for it - and a Mr Whippy ice cream. It's a rare opportunity to chat to a modern icon, one to one.

§ Tea with the Duchess of York.
As well as her insider's insight into the Royal Family as the devoted mother of Prince Andrew's daughters Eugenie and Beatrice, Sarah Ferguson has been many other things: film-maker, children's author, campaigner, icon. This is a chance to take tea with a real pillar of British society. Date and venue to be confirmed.

§ Access all areas of Top Shop at London Fashion week.
London Fashion Week at Somerset House is now the central date in the fashion calendar, and Top shop is the hub of London's high street for girls who want to look catwalk-cool - so the chance to go backstage at, and have front show seats for, Top Shop's LFW show is a prize to die for. Plus the chance to meet Top Shop supremo Sir Philip Green.

§ Dinner for 12 cooked by Gordon Ramsay.
It's hard enough getting a table at the best restaurants in Gordon Ramsay's empire, so getting him to cook dinner in your home for up to 12 guests counts as a once-in-a-lifetime coup. The leading chef and "restaurantrepreneur", star of the F Word and Hell's Kitchen, will prepare a meal, give cooking tips, and probably give a swearing masterclass too!

§ Dinner for six cooked by Pierre Koffman.
When legendary chef Pierre Koffman came out of retirement to open a pop-up restaurant on top of Selfridges, it was the gastronomic event of the Noughties. Now the former patron of Michelin-starred Le Tante Clair in Mayfair will cook a lavish three-course dinner for up to six people in your home - truly, a meal to remember.

§ Go behind the scenes at Michelin-starred Locanda Locatelli.
For sheer excitement, few places can beat the kitchen of a Michelin-starred restaurant, and this prize gives two people the chance to experience life in Giorgio Locatelli's kitchen at full pelt. During the day you'll observe, cook and learn, and in the evening you can relax over a gourmet meal cooked by Giorgio himself.

§ Dinner with the Evening Standard editor.
As editor of the London Evening Standard, this great city's greatest newspaper, Geordie Greig knows all there is to know about the capital's social, political and artistic scene. One lucky reader will get the chance to pick his brains over dinner at his favourite restaurant, the gourmet's favourite E&O in Notting Hill.

Log on to www.standard.co.uk for further information or details can be found in the London Evening Standard.