Kylie Minogue’s Lexus CT200h takes centre stage at the NSPCC City of London Christmas dinner

A Lexus CT200h donated and driven by superstar and NSPCC ambassador, Kylie Minogue, was auctioned off at the NSPCC City of London Christmas dinner last night (1 December), helping to raise over £177,000 for the NSPCC Helpline.

The car is a complete one-off, featuring bespoke headrests signed by Kylie Minogue and stitched exclusively for the auction. Bidding for the Lexus CT200h was heated, with guests competing to own this unique piece of memorabilia.

NSPCC ambassador Kylie Minogue said: "I would just like to say a huge thank you to the generous bidder who bought my personalised Lexus CT200h, which I have been driving around in for the last year. I donated my Lexus to the City of London Christmas dinner and it raised a staggering £29,000 in the auction, all in aid of the NSPCC Helpline."

Mark Wood, City of London Christmas dinner committee chairman, said: "The City of London Christmas dinner raises a fantastic amount of money to support the vital work of the NSPCC, and this year was no exception. I'd like to thank everyone who bid so generously and to everyone who donated such spectacular auction prizes. A special thanks goes to Kylie our NSPCC ambassador who teamed up with Lexus to donate her very own car to the auction, helping us raise over £177,000 for the NSPCC's telephone and online service for adults who are concerned about the welfare of a child or young person."

The evening, which took place at London's Savoy Hotel, attracted over 200 guests including high profile figures from leading City firms such as Barclays Plc, Clifford Chance and Deloitte LLP. Entertainment was provided by Alexander Armstrong, one half of the comedy duo Armstrong and Miller, and music came from West End Kids and The Pete Long Orchestra. 

After dinner, guests joined in the auction for Kylie's star lot and other big ticket items such as a pair of beautiful Boucheron earrings, a chance to spend the day with the Barclays Premier League trophy and a money-can't-buy Olympic experience.

Lexus General Manager of Marketing and Strategy Paul Marshall said: "We were delighted to team up with NSPCC ambassador Kylie Minogue to donate a Lexus CT200h to the auction at the City of London Christmas dinner. Kylie, who is the face of the Lexus CT200h, has been driving the car throughout 2011 so it really is a unique prize, and I'm delighted it has raised so much money for the NSPCC." 

Over the last 16 years the annual City of London Christmas dinner has raised over £3 million for the NSPCC. This year, all the money raised will go towards the NSPCC Helpline, a telephone and online service for adults who are concerned about the welfare of a child or young person. It provides adults with advice, guidance and support, and can take action on their behalf if they have concerns about a child who is either being abused or is at risk of abuse.

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Notes to Editors:

About the NSPCC
The NSPCC is the UK's leading children's charity specialising in child protection. Our vision is to end cruelty to children in the UK and we make a difference for all children by standing up for their rights, listening to them, helping them when they need us and by making them safe. The NSPCC runs projects and services across the United Kingdom and Channel Islands, including ChildLine, the UK's free, confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people and the NSPCC Helpline for adults concerned about the safety of a child.

For further information and images, please contact Sarah Dade on 020 7825 1318 / sarah.dade@nspcc.org.uk at the NSPCC or 07976 206 625 (out of hours).