Pamela swimsuit makes big splash at charity auction

WHO’S for Pamela Anderson’s red Baywatch swimsuit?

For the lads, getting their hands on the aforementioned garment raised a tantalising prospect last night. All for a good cause, too.

“We’ve had a lot of interest in that item,” said Charlie Roarty of Energy Action, the Dublin charity that aims to see older people kept warm and safe.

But the really serious players at the glittering charity auction in the Berkeley Court Hotel had eyes only for two prime All-Ireland seats at Croke Park.

A Mayo bidder reckoned €1,000 was a rational transaction if he could witness the ending of his county’s 31-year football title famine. Factor in quality seats in the Lower Hogan Stand and hotel accommodation and the deal was getting better by the minute - particularly if the Sam Maguire Cup could be landed. Pam’s swimwear came with a reserve of €1,100.

However, she was topped (so to speak) by the €2,500 pre-auction bid for a signed Salvador Dali original framed woodblock engraving from the Divine Comedy Suite.

Energy Action’s target is to raise €30,000 from the gala event. Led by Miss Ireland Natasha Ní Garbeith, deputy lord mayor Ann Carter and junior minister Ivor Callely, the 260 guests sat down to a sumptuous dinner.

You couldn’t get a ticket for love nor money as the event is always sold out. A table for 10 cost €1,100.

Generosity is the name of the game. Down the years, artists and other public-spirited souls have contributed items for the auction. The sainted Bono and pals in U2 did their bit, offering a signed song sheet and signed LPs.

Auctioneer for the night was James O’Halloran and RTÉ’s Ronan Collins acted as MC.