He can and will do anything for money — money for PALS, that is.

When two colleagues at Aspen Insurance Limited decided to hold a black tie dinner and dance at the Fairmont Southampton Hotel this weekend to raise money for Bermuda’s only cancer charity, Piers Vacher didn’t think twice.

Last year, he was one of four men who shaved their heads for St. Baldrick’s and raised $75,000. This time, he decided to do something different and offer two hours of his time to the highest bidder at a silent auction, for which he will, quite literally, do anything.

“The beauty of this is that people can get me to do whatever they want me to do,” Mr. Vacher says. “I can mow, wash, iron, garden, babysit, greet your dinner guests mumbling words in Chinese, serve them at your dining table. Really, if you pay for it, you get it. These are not difficult skills, but very simple ways of earning money for a worthy cause. For absolutely no work on my part, PALS will benefit.”

In fact, Mr. Vacher is very modest about his willingness to become a silent auction prize, promotion of which has involved shucking his traditional grey slacks and blazer for a gladiator costume, which he happily wore to work for photographic purposes.

“The pictures have been posted on our loo walls, and they’re causing quite a giggle,” he says. “In fact, I’ve suggested that people pay a couple of bucks for every giggle. It’s easy money for PALS.”

But why a gladiator suit?

“Well, a man in a jacket and slacks looks like a businessman, but much more impressive as a gladiator. A little bit of humiliation and humbleness raises a lot of cash,” Mr. Vacher says. “The gladiator works.”

Plans are afoot to display large blow-ups of the property insurance underwriter in the costume at the gala because, like all of the other prizes in the silent auction, he must be “displayed”.

“The bigger I am and the more impressive my presentation, the more chance I have of raising more money,” he reasons.

As to what Mr. Vacher will wear on the night, well that’s a secret.

“My wife will probably have the final say, but I hope not to disappoint any of the potential bidders,” is as far as he will go.

Not only does the British-born executive have the greatest admiration for PALS but also for the two colleagues, Jacqueline Yeo and Jennifer Gunn, for all they are doing to make Saturday night’s gala a success.

“They have never done anything like this before, and they have put in so many hours that I just wanted to support their work. When people go to that length to raise money for PALS, I want to support it. The amount of money we raise will probably not make a huge difference to the enormous costs of running the charity, but at least it will help. It is so humbling to know that these people exist, and it costs so much to do their work, so anything which encourages individuals to put their hands in their pockets helps.”

Mr. Vacher also sees raising money for charity as a way of giving back to the Island he and his family truly love.

He arrived from England two and a half years ago with his wife, also an Aspen employee, and their three children, and they have delighted with their new home.

“I can honestly put my hand on my heart and say I have never enjoyed life as much as I have since I came here. I will probably be asked to leave before I am ready, and therefore I am absolutely focused on living each day as much as I can, which I would never have done in London. I am so grateful to live in this country.

“It has changed my outlook on life completely. My wife and three small children all love this Island as much as I do. It is absolutely wonderful.”

The same sense of being a guest worker is what has driven Mr. Vacher to do what he can for PALS now.

“It is important that I do this this year because I may not be here to raise money for PALS in future,” he says.

Saturday’s dinner dance will begin with a champagne reception followed by a five-course dinner. There will be a live band for dancing during the course of the evening, as well as a silent auction and raffle. Tickets are available from tickets[AT]aspen.bm and from Jennifer Gunn and Jacqueline Yeo ( 297-9236 or 297-9238.