Until recently, the focus of most high-end charity auctions was luxury: a day’s pheasant shooting (castle accommodation included) perhaps, or entry to a top pro-am golf tournament. Last year though, something went under the hammer at an event organised by Pilotlight that offered a different kind of exclusive opportunity: two weeks’ unpaid work experience at Harvey Nichols. The winning bid was £2,500.

It wasn’t a one-off. Last Monday, six different one-week placements were auctioned at a Tory party fundraising evening. Bids reached £3,700 for work experience at Condé Nast, £3,000 for a spell at Ecosse Films, £2,500 to work at a contemporary art dealer, £1,300 at the catering company Rhubarb, £1,250 for a spell with the PR and photographic agency M+M management, and £1,100 for a placement at the financial consultancy Pelham Bell Pottinger.