Friday, October 6 2006 15:18 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Oxfam has team up with the Renault Formula One team to host an online auction of F1 memorabilia to raise money to help overcome poverty and suffering in Brazil.

The non-governmental organisation, which helps with development, relief, and campaigning around the world, is embarking on its fifth series of auctions that have raised over US $110,000 for Oxfam's work in Brazil in the last four years.

Renault are once again providing unique items for auction as part of their continuing support of Oxfam's One Million Cisterns project, which provides access to clean water to 11 million people in communities in North Eastern Brazil.

Ensuring access to a safe water supply is the vital priority and, in partnership with other organisations, Oxfam is implementing a huge project to build one million water tanks to collect rainwater in this region.

The auction which is being hosted by Ebay will run for ten days ending on Thursday, 19 October and gives anyone and everyone the chance to bid on such items as racing overalls, race vests, shirts, gloves, caps and balaclavas all worn and signed by Fernando Alonso Giancarlo Fisichella and Heikki Kovalainen.

Renault boss Flavio Briatore said, "The members of the Renault F1 Team are once again proud to be supporting Oxfam's charitable work in Brazil. We race in Sao Paulo every year, and enjoy the vibrant culture and hospitality of the country. But we are also struck by the social poverty in the cities - and that we know exists in the countryside too.

"It is a privilege to be able to use the popularity of our team, and Formula 1, to improve the basic standard of living for so many people, and we hope that this auction will make a significant contribution to achieving that goal," he said.