Somerset players give backing to online sports auction

Somerset duo Andy Caddick and Rob Turner are among a host of stars backing SportsAid's Sporting Celebrity Online Auction - hoping to raise funds for young and disabled sporting talent.

Members of the public can bid for training sessions with the England paceman and his county colleague, with the auction live from Monday 19 May. The auction runs for just over one month with bidders accessing the site via www.thesportsball.co.uk/auction Guests at the 20th Sports Ball, to be held at The Royal Lancaster Hotel on Thursday 12 June, will have the opportunity to out bid the online auction in the presence of the sporting celebrities on the night. The Charity hopes to raise at least £30,000 from the auction.

Funds raised from the auction will go towards supporting talented youngsters identified by SportsAid for their partnership with health and fitness group LA Fitness. The agreement has seen over 100 youngsters around the country chosen for their sporting talent to receive funds raised in the LA Fitness clubs and from other national activities organised by SportsAid such as a Californian bike ride in October.

Among the other stars taking part from across the sporting world are Ryder Cup golfer Colin Montgomerie, European 100m Champion Dwain Chambers, Olympic swimmer Mark Foster, Olympic athlete Mark Richardson, GB tennis player Arvind Parmar, and the Great Britain rowing coxless four, Rick Dunn, Toby Garbett, Steve Williams and Josh West.