Over US$ 500,000 raised at ’One Night to Change Lives’ charity event held at DubaiÃÂÃâââ
A galaxy of Hollywood stars including Academy Award winner Colin Firth and his wife Livia, Kristin Davis, Rooney Mara and Freida Pinto descended at the ‘One Night to Change Lives’ charity auction hosted by the Dubai International Film Festival in aid of UAE-based philanthropic organisation, Dubai Cares, and global development and aid agency, Oxfam. A total of more than US$ 500,000 was raised during the auction, reaffirming the overwhelming success of this charity event for the second successive year. All proceeds from the auction, which featured an exciting array of treasured celebrity items and experiences, went to Dubai Cares and Oxfam.
The charity auction and gala dinner were held under the patronage of UN Messenger of Peace HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the Armani Hotel in Dubai.
Oxfam’s celebrity global ambassadors underscored the importance of the group’s humanitarian work, and they are in unison in expressing appreciation for the opportunity of working with Oxfam to reach out to the needy of the world.
Colin Firth, one of the group’s highly-respected campaigner for over a decade said in his speech, “Oxfam works hard to provide children in need access to basic education and around 6.4 million people are extremely thankful to Oxfam for this. I certainly believe that poverty is man-made, and that individual lives can be changed and we can work together in changing lives.”
Kristin Davis, another long-time supporter of Oxfam, shared, “I’m very proud to be here especially when you know that donations go to children. I value what Oxfam does. I’ve travelled with them to so many countries to support projects and I’m really very proud to be here in this event to make a huge difference in children’s lives.”
The female celebrities were a sight to behold on the red carpet as they wore signature pieces from global fashion houses: Dior for Kristin Davis, Valentino for Freida Pinto, and Calvin Klein for Rooney Mara.
Among the most sought-after items at the auction was a once in a lifetime experience donated by Oxfam Ambassador Scarlett Johansson to see her perform in the opening night of Broadway’s ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ as well as a meet-and-greet opportunity with the Hollywood star, two return business class flights to New York and two nights’ accommodation at The London NYC hotel.
Another major attraction of the auction was the red "Valentino for the GCC" gown worn to the 2012 Oscars by Livia Firth. The exclusive auction package also included a chance to spend a day with renowned editor of Vogue Italia, Franca Sozzani, and her team at the Vogue headquarters in Milan as well as two nights’ accommodation at the luxurious Armani Hotel in Milan.
Also included in the auction was a beautiful Chopard 18 carat rose gold and stainless steel watch; an oil on canvas painting by Nasser Ovissi donated by the Farjam Collection, one of the most impressive privately-owned collections in the world today; an Ecological Fairtrade and Fairmined certified 18 carat white gold ring and earrings set from the award winning fine jeweller Anna Loucah; and ‘Allure of Arabia’, a unique pendant created by renowned jewellery designer Kholoud Osama Kurdi.
There was also an opportunity to pledge on a vital project from Dubai Cares and Oxfam in rural Tanzania to improve access to clean water, adequate sanitation, and hygiene promotion for approximately 15,000 school children living in 25 communities. The project recognises that clean water and sanitation in schools are critical to ensure that children complete their education.
Emirate: Dubai
Date: Dec 15, 2012
Back
