Memorabilia from David Bowie, a holiday on tycoon John Deuss's yacht and vacations in luxury villas are among prizes to be auctioned at a glittering fund-raising evening in Bermuda, The Royal Gazette has learned. The once-in-a-lifetime prizes will be also be auctioned over the Internet in what organisers of the "Jewelled Extravaganza" promise will be an extraordinary night.

Bermuda's richest residents have donated top-of-the-range prizes or used their influence to persuade leading organisations around the world to put up gifts.

The lavish dinner in the XL building in November is to raise $500,000 to create an endowment for the National Trust to fund conservation projects.

Mr. Deuss has donated a week's holiday in the Caribbean on Fleurtje, businessman Ward Young has given the same Caribbean vacation on his luxury boat and wealthy Canadian businessman and Bermuda resident Michael de Groot is giving a round trip for ten to the east coast of the US on his private jet. Other prizes include: holidays in the Bel-Air Hotel, Los Angeles, The Ritz and Connaught hotels in London, the Golden Door Spa in California; a trip from London to Venice on the Orient Express; and luxury week-long breaks in the south of France, Portugal, Canada and Vermont.

Tickets for the black tie event cost $500 and $1,000, and corporate tables are selling for $10,000. But guests will be treated to fine French wines such as Chateau Petrus, and will be able to preview jewellery which the auction house Christies will be selling in New York and London this winter.

Madeleine Webster, who is chairing Jewelled Extravaganza, told The Royal Gazette: "This event is a wonderful opportunity for residents and companies to invite clients and friends from abroad to celebrate a beautiful new building as well as the beauty of Bermuda, and at the same time helping fund an important part of the National Trust's conservation mandate.

"Many of the auction items are one of a kind, unavailable to the commercial arena, and those that are available are exclusive, extravagant, and may not be normally within everyone's budget. It's an opportunity for all to sample the good life."