Post-Sandy auction offers dates with fashion celebrities

NEW YORK - Now you can help ease the misery for victims of superstorm Sandy and live it up with tennis great Roger Federer, fashionista Victoria Beckham, or New York's billionaire mayor Michael Bloomberg.

An auction running to December 5 on charitybuzz.com dangles opportunities to taste New York's glitzy side in exchange for helping out the tens of thousands of people whose homes and belongings were ruined in the huge storm a month ago.

Pay a minimum of $5,250, at the latest bid Monday, and you could meet former Spice Girl Beckham at New York Fashion Week next February.

A round of golf with Big Apple mayor Bloomberg will cost you $8,500 at current bidding, although the auction site estimates the real value for the honor of playing with him at $50,000.

There's also a chance to meet Vogue's US editor Anna Wintour. Bids had reached $16,000 early Monday, although again the estimated value of mixing with the famously exclusive magazine chief was $50,000.

Sports fans can win tickets to see the Mets baseball team practice or meet Swiss tennis star Federer, with the latest bid for a date with the champion at $6,500.

And to really get away from the gloom in New York -- while having done your bit for the victims -- $22,000 at the latest bidding will get you one week at fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger's estate in the Caribbean paradise of Mustique.

The auction organized by the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue features 153 prizes, with proceeds going to charities involved in the recovery effort following the 29 October storm.