(15 July 2011) More than thirty South African celebrities are currently lined up on www.bobshop.co.za, ready to auction off their time to the highest bidders from 18 to 28 July. The online auctions start from R1 and all proceeds are for the benefit of participating charities.

"We are thrilled that the Celebrities for Charities event is becoming a tradition", says Bob Shop CEO Jaco Jonker. "This is the third successive year that Bob Shopers will be bidding for the privilege of meeting a celebrity and for the satisfaction of helping a worthy cause. The opening of the 2011 Celebrities for Charities auctions coincides with Mandela day. So, if you are at odds what good deed to do this 18 July, visit www.bobshop.co.za and place a bid on a celebrity!"

bobshop initiated Celebrities for Charities in June 2009, with outstanding response. Thirty nine public figures auctioned off their time and raised more than R56,000 for ten charities. The July 2010 event experienced an ebb, perhaps as a consequence of the post-World Cup fatigue. Still, two charities and their seven celebrities managed to raise an amount R15,180.

"This year, we have a brilliant line-up of celebrities endorsing a wide range of good causes. The bidders will be hard pressed to make a choice", says Jonker.

On auction are rugby player Ross Skeate, John McInroy of the RedSocsFriday fame, 5FM DJ Rob Vember, the youngest-ever business woman finalist Chaeli Mycroft, comedian Nik Rabinowitz, hostage drama survivors Callie and Monique Strydom,  speaker Thabang Skwambane, singer Heinz Winckler and his wife Alette-Johanni, legendary cricketer Clive Rice, actor Hans Strydom, speaker Gerry Elsdon, writer Denis Becket, golf legend Gavan Levenson, painter Paul Birchall, singer Jesse Clegg, TV sports presenter Fezile Makhanya, actress Khabonina, the Fairy Godmother Donna McCallum, designer Thula Sindi, musical group The Arrows (consisting of Pam de Menezes and Christie Desfontaine), speaker Clem Sunter, model Ryno Basson, socialite and businesswoman Edith Venter, singer and songwriter Ard Matthews from Just Jinjer, radio sports presenter Graeme Joffe, M-Net presenter Jason Greer, musician Louise Carver, comedian Barry Hilton, radio and TV personalities Jeannie D and Jo-Ann Strauss, the four ladies that make the instrumental band Sterling EQ, Carina, Eriel, Renate and Ariella, and more.

The meet-and-greet events vary with the celebrity. There are lunches, a golf lesson, a trek-like adventure, a helicopter flip, and much more.

"Each and every one of them promises to be an unforgettable experience that only generosity of the celebrities and of the bidders can buy", says Jaco Jonker. "bobshop.co.za is privileged to be the platform on which charities can extend their reach and increase the amount of funds they raise. As is traditional for us, we are happy to waive our standard selling commission, ensuring that every cent of the winning bids goes to the benefiting charity".

Any registered charity may join in the Celebrities for Charities event.

The charities participating in the 2011 event are: Abraham Kriel Childcare, CANSA, Joburg Child Welfare, Matla A Bana, Reach For A Dream, Sea Rescue, Shark Spotters, The Chaeli Campaign, The Lonely Road Foundation, The Papillon Foundation , The Potchefstroom Lions Club and Topsy Foundation).

Here is the complete list of celebrities taking part in the 2011 Celebrities for Charities event: