One of the State's most prestigious fee-paying schools, Belvedere College in Dublin, is asking parents to pay €250 each to attend a fundraising dinner with Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.Sir Alex is giving his services free of charge and paying for his own flights, writes John Downes.
In a brochure sent to parents and some past pupils of the school, they are invited to spend "an evening with Sir Alex Ferguson", next Thursday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Dublin.
Three-quarters of the tickets to the event have already been sold, ranging from €2,000 for a table of eight to €3,000 for a table of 12.
This includes a meal and champagne reception, followed by a question and answer session with Sir Alex.
The organisers of the event say they hope to raise at least €60,000 from the evening, with the proceeds going towards the college's student scholarship scheme.
This aims to increase the number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds attending the college by allowing them to enrol free of charge at the €3,300-a-year school.
Currently, only 8 per cent of students at the college are enrolled as a result of the scheme.
Belvedere, a rugby-playing school situated in Dublin's north inner city, has been criticised by some for not doing enough to help widen access for students from the area.
In recent years, it has sought funds from parents and past pupils to help finance its ambitious school-building programme, which has led to the redevelopment of much of the school.
The Jesuit order, which runs the school, has agreed to match any donations made on the night.
It is understood that Sir Alex agreed to take part in the evening as a result of his strong links with a number of past pupils at the school.
Last year, it was revealed that he received some €97,000 after attending a fund-raiser for the John Durkan Leukaemia Trust with four of his players in the autumn of 1999.
This was half the money raised on the night.
However, his spokesman at the time pointed out that the event was in fact part of his testimonial year, meaning that he was the donor on the evening.
Mr Gerry Foley, headmaster of Belvedere College, said the school was delighted that Sir Alex had agreed to attend the event.
"The event has caught the imagination of people.
"The fundraising that is necessary for the scheme is colossal . . . we'd hope this is going to give a very good injection so we can expand it."