Manama: A charity auction in Qatar where the front row seat reached $60,000 has raised $21 million in one evening.
The funds were raised the sale of auction items that included an Arabian horse, Njoud Al Shaqab, a custom-made Hermès saddle, a Mini Cooper designed specially by artist Damien Hirst, and a safari trip for two to South Africa.
Other items included two tickets to attend a football match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, a black gold necklace designed by Robert Procop and donated by American actress, Angelina Jolie; and a motorcycle signed by world champion Grand Prix motorcycle road racer, Giacomo Agostini.
The Gala Dinner by Reach Out to Asia (ROTA), held under the patronage of the Emir Shaikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, under the theme “Plant a Book, Harvest a Future”, aimed to raise funds for ROTA’s educational activities and projects in Asia. It also sought to support the educational needs of children who have been affected by wars and political conflicts in Asia.
Collected funds will be used for building and renovating schools, encouraging their reentry into education as well as providing employment opportunities for workers in the field of education, organizers said.
Over 450 guests, dignitaries, celebrities and elite members of Qatari society and the Arab region attended the successful event. The guests included Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal, Wissam Al Mana and his wife, Janet Jackson, Caroline Sheffield, Chairperson of Chopard International Foundation; Tunisian singer and philanthropist, Latifa; poet, TV presenter and philanthropist, Lojain Omran, known for her campaigns supporting Syrian refugees; and Syrian artist, Jamal Suleiman.
The gala featured performances by Yemeni artist and composer, Ahmed Fathi, as well as German composer and violinist, David Garrett.
Shaikha Al Mayassa Bint Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, ROTA Chairperson expressed her pleasure with the success of this event.
“This year the event was honoured by the presence of His Highness, the Amir of Qatar, which gives us an additional motivation and confidence in what we do and what we are aiming for. Moreover, this underlines His Highness’s interest in what Reach Out To Asia has been doing to support the historic role of Qatar in its unique geographical location, as well as what ROTA is doing in support of volunteer work.”
Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal was honoured in recognition of his great and fruitful efforts and dedication.
“HRH is a role model and a bright example for us all and a proof that hard work, dedication and thorough vision can create a stable, prosperous and healthy society,” she said.
Speaking to media before the event, ROTA’s Director, Isa Al Mannai, said: “Funds we raised tonight will directly support ROTA’s ongoing and future projects in Asia and the Middle East. Despite the difficulties faced by the global economy in recent years, we are delighted that our guests, sponsors and donors have shown eagerness and enthusiasm to defend the importance of education and raise awareness of ROTA’s work.”
ROTA was launched in December 2005 in Doha.
