DUNDEE, SCOTLAND, UK.- A world exclusive print of a never before published photograph of the Beatles, taken during the height of their fame during the filming of Help! in the 1960s, is the star lot in a unique online TICR charity auction going live on Monday 18 August.

www.ticrappeal.co.uk will offer the opportunity for the highest bidder to be the first private owner of one of the intimate and exclusive photographs from the Michael Peto collection, uncovered in the University of Dundee’s archives at the end of last year.

The online auction site, developed exclusively for TICR, will run from Monday 18th August until mid-day 26th September and will help raise funds for the Institute for Cardiovascular Research (TICR) at the University of Dundee’s Medical Schoolbased at Ninewells hospital in Dundee.

The BBC’s World Affairs Editor and honorary graduate of the University of Dundee, John Simpson, will announce the name of the lucky bidder at the TICR charity Samurai Ball on Saturday 27 September in Dundee’s Apex Hotel. Tickets for the ball are selling fast and are available from Joan Concannonon 01382 345564 a.j.constable@dundee.ac.uk

In addition to the unique Beatles print, the online auction site is also offering the chance to bid and get a bargain for a range of other exciting opportunities including the following:

2 nights B&B for two at the luxury Gleneagles Hotel
an opportunity for budding musicians to have a session in Seagate Recording Studios with a professional record producer
a range of indulgent treatments at the Apex Hotel’s Dundee Yu Spa.
1 full day’s use of a classic 1966 gunmetal silver Jaguar with light blue leather interior and wooden dash.
A weekend for two and dinner at the Apex Hotel in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket
A fantastic top of the range mountain bike
A second tranche of lots will be announced later this week and local businesses are being invited to submit further lots for auction.

Joan Concannon, University of Dundee External Relations Director, says "The online auction promises to add an exciting and unique dimension to the fundraising efforts of the whole TICR team throughout Healthy Heart Week (20-27 September). We are hoping that www.ticrappeal.co.uk, will provide Tayside residents with an opportunity to scoop a bargain and help raise money for a very worthy cause at the same time. Local businesses have been very enthusiastic in their support and have provided a range of exciting lots, with more to come.  So I would invite everyone to log on and bid early and often".

The Institute for Cardiovascular Research brings together on one site skilful clinicians and researchers from all areas of the University’s Medical School who have special expertise in the prevention and treatment of heart disease. Fundraising for the new flagship institute has already crossed the halfway point having raised £1.6 million. The TICR online auction in tandem with the TICR Big City Challenge (September 20th) and the TICR Samurai Ball (September 27th) will contribute to the remaining £1.5m to complete the Institute.