• More than 5,000 unclaimed items will be auctioned for charity
• Proceeds will benefit the Steve Waugh Foundation, Dymocks Children’s Charities, Stewart House and St Vincent de Paul Society
• Auctions run online from 10 to 19 November, with a public viewing day on 9 November

People looking to nab a bargain in time for Christmas and help a worthy cause should go online from 10 to 19 November for Sydney Airport’s annual Lost Property Auction for charity.

“With 39 million passengers travelling through Sydney Airport each year, thousands of items are left behind at the airport,” Sydney Airport managing director and chief executive officer Kerrie Mather said.

“While every effort is made to reunite travellers with their items, those that remain unclaimed go towards our annual Lost Property Auction for charity.

“Some of the 5,000 weird and wonderful items on offer this year include a sleep apnoea machine, microwave, Chinese tea set, sewing machine, vintage telephone and musical instruments.

“We raised a record $154,000 for charity in 2014 and we’re hoping for another great year of fundraising.

“Following a competitive application process, we’re delighted that the four charities to receive proceeds from this year’s auction will be the Steve Waugh Foundation, Dymocks Children’s Charities, Stewart House and St Vincent de Paul Society.”

The auctions will be held from Tuesday, 10 November to Thursday, 19 November in unreserved lots, starting from $1. A processing fee of 16.5 per cent is payable to Pickles in addition to the hammer price on all lots.

Charities benefiting from the auction proceeds are calling on the public to bid on items to contribute towards their important initiatives.

The Steve Waugh Foundation provides life changing support and champions the stories of kids and young adults living with rare diseases, Steve Waugh AO said.

“A major motivation behind our Foundation is that no one should have to stand alone; everyone needs a team to support them. We stand for ‘Strength of Character’, from the children who live with rare diseases, to the people who help us,” Mr Waugh said.

The proceeds will help Dymocks Children’s Charities to continue to tackle illiteracy through their Library Regeneration Program, Dymocks Children’s Charities general manager Paul Swain said.

“Funds raised will go towards programs that benefit disadvantaged children to reverse the worrying trend of declining literacy. Literacy is the foundation of all learning and is the key to reversing socio-economic disadvantage in Australia,” Mr Swain said.

Funds received by Stewart House will allow up to 20 public school children from across NSW to participate in a 12-day needs-based, integrated program at South Curl Curl.

“Whilst in residence at Stewart House, the children will receive basic health screening and treatment, participate in learning activities designed to improve social skills and regulate emotions, and take advantage of the attractions presented by the best city in the world,” Stewart House chief executive officer Graeme Philpotts said.

St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Acting CEO Dianne Lucas said they are grateful to be selected as a recipient charity.

“Funds received will be used for our Kids Engaged in Education Program (KEEP) which assists children and young people who are experiencing homelessness stay engaged with school, training or employment. The program looks at breaking intergenerational disadvantage and strives to develop a lifelong love of learning in young people,” Ms Lucas said.

Previous Sydney Airport Lost Property Auction proceeds have supported a range of charities including The Salvation Army, Youth Off The Streets and the Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation.

The public are invited to view the range of items for sale at Pickles Auctions in Milperra from 8.00am to 4.30pm on Monday, 9 November.

For more information visit www.pickles.com.au

Contact: Sydney Airport Media (02) 9667 6470 or 0437 033 479

Note: A media viewing day will be held at Pickles Auctions, 20-21 Woorang Street Milperra, from 9am-12pm today for photo and filming opportunities.

AUCTION DETAILS (all run from 9am to 9.30pm the following day)

Auction 1 – Tuesday, 10 to Wednesday, 11 November

Cameras, camcorders, headphones, games, electrical

Auction 2 – Wednesday, 11 to Thursday, 12 November

iPhones, smartphones, iPods

Auction 3 – Thursday, 12 to Friday, 13 November

iPads, tablets, laptops, IT

Auction 4 – Friday, 13 to Saturday, 14 November

Jewellery

Auction 5 – Saturday, 14 to Sunday, 15 November

Perfume, cosmetics, health products

Auction 6 – Sunday, 15 to Monday, 16 November

Sunglasses, footwear, hats, accessories

Auction 7 – Monday, 16 to Tuesday, 17 November

Clothing

Auction 8 – Tuesday, 17 to Wednesday, 18 November

Liquor, cigarettes

Auction 9 – Wednesday, 18 to Thursday, 19 November

Miscellaneous: homewares, artwork, souvenirs, toys, sporting goods, musical instruments, tools