A jaffle maker, a leaf blower and a Darth Vader helmet are just some of the items left behind by passengers at Sydney airport that are up for auction in the airport’s annual charity event.
Millions of passengers pass through Sydney airport each month, and sometimes items go missing. Those left unclaimed are donated to local charities or sold at auction, with the proceeds going to charity.
This year there are more than 2,500 unclaimed items up for grabs, including more than 150 laptops, 300 headphones and earbuds, and 100 phones and tablets.
The more unusual items include a wedding dress, a framed autographed photo of Argentine footballer Lionel Messi, an electric scooter and a massage table.
Theodore Bruce Auctioneers’ director, Casi Prischl, said the auction normally attracts bidders from all over the country.
“There are lots of hot items up for grabs this year, including laptops, headphones, tablets, bottles of brand-new perfume and some beautiful pieces of jewellery,” Bruce said.
“May the force be with Star Wars fans bidding in the auction because we have a Storm Trooper voice-activated helmet and a Darth Vader helmet, as well as a collection of lightsabers.
“Opening bids start at just $10, which means shoppers have a chance to grab a great deal while also supporting an impactful charity.”
Money raised in the auction is donated to the Harding Miller education foundation, which awards four-year scholarships to high school girls experiencing disadvantage.
Josh Clements, Sydney Airport’s general manager of corporate affairs, said the auction was one of the corporation’s most important charity events and “with $1.6m raised since 2013, it’s clear the public loves nabbing a bargain in support of a worthy cause”.
The airport has a dedicated team that tries to reunite passengers with their belongings; last year it reunited more than 5,000 items with their owners.
