Arsenal FC and German national team footballer, Lukas Podolski has been on the attack in the Polo R WRC. The player swapped sports for an afternoon and took his place next to rally ace and Volkswagen works driver Jari-Matti Latvala (FIN), who currently lies second in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC).

Fans can now bid for precisely this same experience: a taxi ride in the World Rally Car from Wolfsburg and a helmet signed by ‘Poldi’ – and all in aid of a good cause.

After his flying 18-kilometre ride in the 315-hp Volkswagen Polo R WRC, Podolski appeared surprisingly relaxed: ‘I love speed, so I was not afraid at all. You are shaken about so much, it’s like being in a washing machine – left, right, up, down. It really is high-performance sport, and I have the utmost respect.’

A signed helmet like the one worn by Lukas Podolski – a Peltor Pro Rally Helmet G78 – is now being auctioned off for charity. But that’s not all: the highest bidder will also receive a trip in the passenger seat of the Volkswagen Polo R WRC.

Profits from the auction will go to the Lukas Podolski Foundation. The foundation supports children and young adults through sports and education projects. These projects are aimed at integrating and supporting socially disadvantaged children in Germany and Poland.

The auction for the ride in the Polo R WRC has been open since yesterday on eBay – www.bit.ly/fly-like-poldi . Bidding closes on 1 September.