Sing with Sting and hang out with the Kardashians: celebrities offer priceless experiences to fans for charity

Fancy recording a song with Sting? Or maybe exchanging a few Shakespeare sonnets with actor Patrick Stewart? If global politics are more your thing, how about virtual coffee dates with either former US secretary of states Hillary Clinton or Madeleine Albright? These are some of the priceless experiences up for grabs as part of Sotheby's upcoming Covid-19 charity auction . Running for one week from Friday, May 1, the auction aims to raise funds for the International Rescue Committee , whose army of medical professionals are on the front line of the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic . The auction will be streamed live from New York from 10pm GMT (1am UAE time on Saturday, May 2), with online bids beginning from $50 (Dh183). The auction can be accessed through Sotheby's website or mobile phone app. The growing list of experiences on offer as part of the auction are eclectic and will be offered through the use of the virtual meet-up app Google Hangouts. If your musical tastes are too modern for a duet with Sting, you have the option of an online meet-and-greet with New York hipster rockers The Strokes. If you were inspired by Emirati astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri' s space mission last year, then the opportunity to talk with Apollo 9 astronaut Russell Schweickart would be right up your galaxy. Fans of the British period television drama Downtown Abbey could take part in a "sophisticated house party" with series creator Julian Fellows and cast member Hugh Bonneville. Art lovers and creatives can also benefit from decorating tips provided by celebrity interior designer Jacques Grange, as well tutorials by the likes of designer Paul Smith and British sculptor Marc Quinn. The Sotheby's benefit auction is not the only event offering such “pinch me” moments. US celebrities and charities are banding together to raise funds to aid medical professionals in their work and to feed families struggling in the face of the pandemic. One initiative recently launched is the All In Challenge , which sees a host of stars from the entertainment and sporting worlds offer everything from their personal to professional time to support a series of American charities. The list of experiences on offer continues to grow by the day. On Sunday, April 28, Palestinian-American hip-hop star DJ Khaled became the latest big name to wade into the challenge by promising a day full with "off the chain excitement". The prize includes airfare (to be determined whether that's a domestic or international flight) and a two-night hotel stay in Miami. During that time the winner will ride jet skis with Khaled and grab dinner at his favourite restaurant. The Kardashians are also participating. Kim Kardashian took to her Instagram on Saturday, April 27 to tell fans to bid for the experience of rubbing shoulders with the famous family by making a guest appearance on their long-running reality series Keeping Up With the Kardashians . This comes on top of already announced offers, such as a walk-in role in the latest Martin Scorsese film Killers of the Flower Moon, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. You and five guests could also be in the audience during the recording of the highly anticipated Friends Reunion episode in Los Angeles. If you are a Drake fan, there's the opportunity to spend a day like Drizzy himself and fly in his Air Drake private jet before joining the rapper and his entourage at a private party. Beliebers also have the chance to win a visit from Justin Bieber, who will come to your place to sing his hit track One Less Lonely Girl . For more information about the All In Challenge, click here

Sing with Sting and hang out with the Kardashians: celebrities offer priceless experiences to fans for charity

Famed auction house Sotheby's has launched an online fundraising event, while DJ Khaled joins the All in Challenge