Ferrari engineer Rob Smedley and his wife Lucy are the driving force behind an auction aimed at raising much needed funds for a highly worthwhile cause.

The pair are hosting a Grand Prix Dinner and Auction in aid of Zoe's Place Baby Hospice on Friday 2nd September.

Zoe's Place Baby Hospice in Middlesbrough provides a home from home for babies and young children who have life limiting and life threatening conditions.

The fund raising dinner, which takes place on Friday at Beamish Hall Country House Hotel, sees Rob, race engineer for Felipe Massa, return to his North East roots to give an insight into Formula One's most famous team. The evening will be rounded off with a fantastic charity auction.

"In order for Zoe's Place to provide the services it does we have to raise as much money as possible which we hope our Grand Prix dinner will do," said a spokesperson for Zoe's Place. "We are immensely grateful to Rob for giving up his time to be our guest of honour and look forward to hearing about life in the fast lane at some of world's most glamorous locations. Rob is one of the most respected people on the Formula One circuit and we consider it a real coup that he is helping us raise these funds.

"We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of individuals and businesses in donating these items and I would like to thank them for the support."

"I'm only too pleased to help Zoe's Place raise some much needed funds," said Smedley, "and the drivers and teams have all be very generous with the items they have donated. I hope that people will dig deep and help us raise as much money as possible."

Amongst the items on offer at the auction:

Lot 1: An escorted visit to the Ferrari factory in Modena (which is not available to the general public) including return flights from Gatwick Airport to Bologna, lunch at the famous Montana Restaurant at the gates to the factory, afternoon tour of factory to include the F1 facility, overnight Hotel accommodation and dinner in Maranello and a tour of the City.

Lot 2: Two places at an F1 Test Day at Silverstone (or Barcelona if no test at Silverstone) to include: Hospitality Suite access throughout the day, breakfast, buffet lunch and afternoon tea, complimentary drinks all day, access to F1 paddock, pit lane walk and circuit tours.

Lot 3: A romantic weekend away for two persons in a luxury boutique hotel with the use of a Ferrari California for the duration of your stay, luxury rooms in the Crazy Bear Hotel in Beaconsfield, breakfast included, 2 or 3 nights stay and a new Ferrari California (2 + 2) for your use throughout the weekend

Lot 4: 2010 Ferrari Massa racing overalls (worn at Abu Dhabi & Brazilian GPs) signed by Felipe Massa together with certificate of authenticity signed by Stefano Domenicali