Stars’ Auction

Auctions for special needs children raise Dhs2 million

By Jamil Khan @ Gulf Today-Sharjah, January 19, 2012

DUBAI: A number of Arab showbiz personalities attended an auction event for the children with special needs of Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre and raised more than Dhs2 million.
The proceeds generated through two auctions were held on Monday night at Madinat Jumairah Hotel in Dubai.
Artists from many Arab countries and dignitaries from various walks of life attended the event.
One of the main features of the event was a red-carpet walk.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Juma Bin Maktoum, managing director of the centre, was also present on the occasion.
Many top government officials and diplomats also attended the event.
The actors and actresses donated their personal belongings like dresses, jewellery and clothes designed by prominent designers in the Arab world.
Haifa Wehbe, Fifi Abdu and others came on stage and encouraged participants to show their love for the special needs kids and make the event successful.
Mariam Othman, director of the Rashid Centre, welcomed the guests and said that the auction was a successful event for the centre and that they have planned to expand the facility to accommodate more children.
“The participation and support of prominent showbiz personalities has proved that the cause of special needs children has become important for everyone. Many have purchased items to show their support for the kids,” she added.
Abdul Rahman Tahboob, media adviser of Rashid Centre, told The Gulf Today that event which was marked by a gala dinner and the auction of various items belonging to famous sports and showbiz personalities captured the attention of guests.
“The support of the guests and participants in the auction proved that the kids with special needs and the facilities for them are important for them. They took part in the auction and raised over Dhs2 million,” he added.
Tahboob said that the items of the auction included a photo taken by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, memorabilia such as Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier’s signed gloves, World Cup Football 2010 souvenir signed by the Spain team, and a Titanic signed montage by Milvina Dean (the oldest living survivor).
Some of the other items were Cristiano Ronaldo’s signed boot, a signed montage by Elvis Presley and Lady Diana as well as many personal items of famous personalities, including JF Kennedy’s letter.
Besides, the signed montage of Sir Winston Churchill, Adolf Hitler, Bruce Lee, Michael Jackson and The Beatles, signed shirts of prominent footballers Pele, Diego Maradona, Ryan Giggs, Lionel Messi, Eric Cantona and David Beckham and many other exclusive items were put on show.
End

~ by jamilkhan on January 19, 2012.