Real Housewives of London’s Panthea Parker to offer private lunch at Terrence Higgins Trust auction

A private lunch hosted by Real Housewives of London star Panthea Parker is among the standout prizes at this year’s Terrence Higgins Trust charity auction, taking place at Christie’s later this month.

The annual fundraiser returns to Christie’s on 25 March, bringing together more than 70 artworks and luxury experiences in aid of the UK’s leading HIV charity. Bidders will be able to compete for a range of exclusive lots, including the opportunity to join Parker for a lunch experience at Cecconi’s in Mayfair.

The event aims to raise vital funds to support people living with HIV and help end new HIV cases in the UK, with bidding open both in person and online to collectors and supporters worldwide.

Raqib Shaw is among the star contributors to auction at Christie’s in aid of Terrence Higgins Trust

Among the headline artworks going under the hammer is a remarkable piece by contemporary artist Raqib Shaw titled Nowadays, I am able to greet beauty (butterfly version). The intricate composition, created using acrylic liner, enamel, graphite and rhinestones on paper, exemplifies the hallucinatory and highly detailed style that has made Shaw one of the most distinctive figures in contemporary art.

Born in Kolkata and based in London since 1998, Shaw first rose to prominence following his breakthrough 2004 exhibition Garden of Earthly Delights. His work has since been exhibited at institutions including Tate Britain and Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Other artworks in the sale include a soft-ground etching by British painter Howard Hodgkin and a mixed-media wall sculpture by artist Natalia Kapchuk from her series The Lost Planet.

Luxury travel experiences will also be up for grabs, including a two-night stay at the St. Regis Florence paired with an exclusive tour of the Ferragamo Museum led by a member of the Ferragamo family.

“Every bid helps us get closer to a future where there are no new HIV cases in the UK” – Dominic Edwardes, Terrence Higgins Trust

Dominic Edwardes, director of fundraising and communications at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “This auction is more than a celebration of art: it is a catalyst for change. Every bid helps us get closer to a future where there are no new HIV cases in the UK, where everyone living with HIV gets the support they need and HIV stigma has been ended.”

Lal Dalamal, co-chair of the auction committee, added: “Art has an extraordinary ability to open minds and inspire action. We are thrilled to present such an exceptional lineup this year.”

The online auction opened at 9am on Monday 16 March and will run until 6pm on Monday 30 March, while the live sale takes place at Christie’s London on Wednesday 25 March. All lots can be viewed and bid on through The Auction Collective website.

Register for the online auction at tht.org.uk/online-auction and for the live auction at tht.org.uk/live-auction.