Between now and December 2nd, listeners can join in the eBay auction for the popular show, Gli Inaffidabili (The Unreliables), which will be hosted from the winner's home or workplace one day in the run-up to Christmas.

Bidding opened on Monday, with the highest offer as of Tuesday afternoon being €1,130.

The programme on Radio Number One, which is among Italy's largest regional stations, is usually hosted by Luca Viscardi and British DJ Grant Benson.

“The winner will see behind the scenes of the programme, and see what we look like in the morning,” Benson told The Local. “They'll also get to participate and say their bit, although essentially it will be the same programme.”

Benson and Viscardi, along with their technical team, will turn up to the winner's chosen location – Benson is hoping that a restaurant places the winning bid, as the show takes place from 11:00 to 13:00, over lunchtime.

The proceeds will help the Maria Letizia Verga Association to build a new hospital for children suffering from leukaemia, a charity which Benson describes as a “great cause”.

“Auctioning off the programme was an idea we've been thinking about for months,” explains Benson.

“So when the hospital got in touch asking for any ideas to help raise some cash for them, we wanted to do something fun, and something that hadn't been done before.”

Benson contacted online auction giant eBay, which was enthusiastic about the project and agreed to support it.

Since bidding opened on Monday, there has already been a lot of interest, with several offers received from high-profile companies, Benson said.

To participate, search for 'Benson & Viscardi all'asta' on www.ebay.it, and place your bid. There is also an option to make an individual donation to the cause. 

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