The Democracy Volunteers 2023 Christmas Auction

Read more ...


Democracy Volunteers is a pioneering organisation dedicated to safeguarding and strengthening democratic processes, primarily in the United Kingdom, but also in other countries that we observe elections in. Founded in 2016, the organisation plays an integral role in ensuring the quality and fairness of electoral processes. Through a combination of observation, research, and advocacy, Democracy Volunteers strives to enhance the transparency and accountability of elections, thereby upholding the basis of British democracy seeking improvements for voters whenever possible.

Democracy Volunteers deploys trained observers to monitor elections, ensuring that they are conducted freely, fairly, and in accordance with established laws, rules and standards. These dedicated individuals scrutinise polling stations, counting, and other crucial aspects of elections, gathering data and insights to evaluate the quality of electoral practices.

The annual Christmas Auction organised by Democracy Volunteers is a significant fundraising event that fuels our mission to support and improve elections in the UK. The funds raised are essential for expanding our reach, enhancing our training programs, and broadening our observation efforts. As the likely year for the next UK general election, 2024 holds immense significance, and Democracy Volunteers is gearing up to ensure that we can deploy as many observers as possible.

The money generated will enable Democracy Volunteers to deploy more observers than ever before, conduct in-depth research, refine best practices, and provide comprehensive training for our observers. Moreover, these funds will support efforts to raise public awareness about electoral issues and advocate for positive reforms. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that elections in the UK are characterised by transparency, inclusivity, and fairness, preserving the fundamental tenets of our democracy.

In a time when the integrity of elections is constantly under scrutiny, Democracy Volunteers plays an important role in the democratic process. Our work strengthens public trust in the electoral system and ensures that all citizens have a voice in shaping their nation's future. The success of the annual Christmas Auction is an opportunity for all to contribute to this cause, empowering Democracy Volunteers to continue our essential work as the nation moves forward into a pivotal election year.

We have 30 auction lots to choose from - enjoy bidding!

The auction will end at our annual online Christmas Quiz event, where you can also win the top prize of joining us for an international election observation in  2024 as well as joining the team for 50 Christmas-based election quiz questions. Sign up HERE.

Close.
Lot 1
£ 20
0
NOT STARTED
A Signed Photo of former US President Gerald Ford
Lot 2
£ 25
0
NOT STARTED
Photo of JK Rowling with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint & Emma Watson (Signed)
Lot 3
£ 85
7
NOT STARTED
‘The Downing Street Years’ - signed by Margaret Thatcher & 3 Other PMs
Lot 4
£ 105
1
NOT STARTED
A chauffeur-driven Jaguar for the Day!
Lot 5
£ 48
8
NOT STARTED
A signed bottle of Scottish Parliament Single Malt Whisky
Lot 6
£ 22
1
NOT STARTED
Two tickets to join Kelham Island Walks in Sheffield
Lot 7
£ 32
9
NOT STARTED
Yes Prime Minister's Paul Eddington Board Game – ‘The Party Game’
Lot 8
£ 24
7
NOT STARTED
An official pen from the Canadian House of Commons
Lot 9
£ 10
0
NOT STARTED
‘For the Million’ Pressed Glass Plate for William Gladstone, 1880s
Lot 10
£ 50
1
NOT STARTED
Margaret Thatcher - Photograph and Autograph
Lot 11
£ 25
1
NOT STARTED
Coal bust of former Prime Minister Harold Wilson
Lot 12
£ 30
1
NOT STARTED
A signed copy of John Major’s autobiography - first 500
Lot 13
£ 12
1
NOT STARTED
Mug with images of Democratic Presidents, First Ladies and Candidates
Lot 14
£ 140
0
NOT STARTED
HM Queen Elizabeth II – Photograph and Autograph
Lot 15
£ 80
1
NOT STARTED
William Gladstone Photograph with Signed envelope to Rowland Hill (1876)
Lot 16
£ 55
1
NOT STARTED
Prime Minister Harold Wilson with his wife Mary – Signed Photograph
Lot 17
£ 25
0
NOT STARTED
Prime Minister Edward Heath – Signed Photograph
Lot 18
£ 25
0
NOT STARTED
David and Samantha Cameron Signed Thankyou Card (with Florence)
Lot 19
£ 27
1
NOT STARTED
Prime Minister Boris Johnson – Signed Photograph
Lot 20
£ 30
0
NOT STARTED
Prime Minister Harold Macmillan – Signed Photograph
Lot 21
£ 30
0
NOT STARTED
'The Key to the Bastille' from George Washington's Mount Vernon
Lot 22
£ 50
0
NOT STARTED
Margaret Thatcher – Photo and signed thank you note on her 1979 Election Win
Lot 23
£ 35
0
NOT STARTED
PM Sir Alec Douglas-Home – Signed note re: Robert Menzies (Australian PM)
Lot 24
£ 80
1
NOT STARTED
Lord Palmerston – Letter to the Lord Mayor Elect of London, November 1813
Lot 25
£ 30
1
NOT STARTED
Tom Roberts Tile - The Opening of the First Parliament of Australia in 1901
Lot 26
£ 90
0
NOT STARTED
PM Benjamin Disraeli – Image and Signature on a note to James Lowther MP
Lot 27
£ 105
1
NOT STARTED
A Scotch Whisky Tasting Evening for 4 - in your own home!
Lot 28
£ 90
0
NOT STARTED
Sir Robert Peel – Lithograph and Signature (on reverse of framed note)
Lot 29
£ 150
5
NOT STARTED
Tea for Two in the House of Lords with a Tour of Parliament
Lot 30
£ 160
1
NOT STARTED
Winston Churchill signed 'Mentioned in Despatches' notification from 1919
When bidding on an auction item, if you enter more than the minimum increment for an item then your bid will be used for proxy bidding. This is how it works:
1. You enter the absolute maximum that you are willing to bid for an item.
2. jumblebee places a bid on your behalf, using the minimum amount required to make you the highest bidder, i.e. current bid price plus bid increment OR the reserve price, if there is one and it can be covered by your proxy bid.
3. jumblebee continues to bid on your behalf, whenever you are outbid by another member's bid, until your maximum bid is exceeded or the auction is won.
4. jumblebee will notify you by email if your maximum bid is outbid by another member and provided the auction is still running, you will then have a chance to enter a new maximum bid if you wish.
For example:
The current bid on an auction item is £100. The minimum increment is £10. You enter a bid of £150 (your maximum bid).
Using your bid, but increasing only by the minimum increment, jumblebee sets the current bid to £110.
Another person bids £130 but they are immediately outbid by jumblebee bidding on your behalf and the current bid goes up to £140.
The auction finishes and you have won the auction item at a price of £140.