HOW much am I bid for Commonwealth Games decathlete Dale Garland? Or lot two – Kylie Robilliard, hurdler and sprinter supreme?

How about the island’s fastest man over 1,500m – Lee Merrien?

Fantasy auctions? Maybe not. Companies are to be offered the chance to bid for the cream of local athletic ability and all for a good cause.

The GIAAC and Cable &Wireless Guernsey have joined forced to launch the C&W Corporate Decathlon Challenge, which will test the athletic prowess of Guernsey’s business community in a novel, fund-raising venture.

Money raised will go towards sending the island’s best athletes to the 2005 Island Games in the Shetlands.

The GIAAC invites businesses to enter mixed teams of 10 athletes to take part in a decathlon spread over two evenings – Sunday 18 and Monday 19 July.

Each member of a corporate team takes on one of the 10 events and the winning team will be the one with the most points overall.

However, the auction adds a twist. The GIAAC is offering some of its own star athletes as lots in a silent auction.

Garland, Robilliard, Merrien, Kimberley Goodall and Ryan de Haaff have already pledged to take part and more are expected to join them.

Corporate teams will decide which athlete they want and place a silent bid.

The business which offers the most money gets him or her and better chance of winning the event.

Each corporate team will still need to field 10 but, if it wins the auction lot, members of its side can be replaced with experts on the evening.

‘Our business community shows itself to be pretty sophisticated in the world of commerce; we wanted to raise money in an entertaining way and thought our corporate organisations might want a chance to flex their athletic muscle,’ said GIAAC president Charlie Cottam.

He said that around 30 athletes were expected to make the trip to the Shetlands and the cost would be high.

‘The corporate decathlon is a fun idea which should get the whole business community behind Guern-sey’s 2005 Island Games effort, said Steve Eldridge, Cable & Wireless Guernsey marketing manager.

There will be an entry fee and prizes.

Forms are available on request from GIAAC development officer Terry Bates on 254818 or 07781 127683 or at C&W’s Smith Street and Centenary House shops.