The Emir H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and H H Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned during the charity auction held as part of the Reach Out To Asia’s (ROTA) 3rd Gala Dinner yesterday.MAHER ATTAR

DOHA: Around $20m was raised during the charity auction at yesterday’s Reach Out To Asia’s (ROTA) 3rd Gala Dinner, a celebrity-studded affair, with members of the royal family in attendance. The amount raised included the $9.3m from the auction revenue, and the rest were from the ticket sales, sponsorships and donations.

The total of last night’s auction exceeded the 2nd Gala Dinner’s $11.25m. Guests during the event, which was held at the centre gallery of the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA), witnessed performances from colourfully-dressed children from Cambodia and a special performance by British singer Cat Stevens.

The Cambodian children were students from a music school in Cambodia that ROTA is supporting. They danced, sang and performed on traditional Cambodian instruments.

Lavishly prepared tables, which cost $60,000 for VIPs and $6,000 for other guests, included delicate china set up by the Four Seasons Hotel. There were around 480 seats for the dinner.

The Gala Dinner was graced by the presence of the Emir

H H Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and H H Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser Al Missned. The ROTA Gala Dinner was conceptualised by Heir Apparent H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in November 2005 and guided by ROTA’s chairperson

H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani.

The ceremony was also attended by Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H E Sheikh Hamad bin Jassem bin Jabor Al Thani.

The event brought together some of the world’s known faces, global philanthropists and celebrities which included German royal HRH Princess Corinna Sayn Wittgenstein, Sir Bob Geldof, singer Cher, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s wife Cherie Blair, celebrated artist Sacha Jafri, Lorenzo Quinn, Hollywood actor Josh Hartnett, Paul Green, Alex Ferguson and Egyptian actor Adel Emam. Al Jazeera’s Riz Khan was the Master of Ceremonies during the event.

A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sir Bob Geldof, who has left an indelible mark on the global landscape through his charity initiatives.

A diamond necklace, inspired by the Sheikha Mozah, was the centerpiece of the Sotheby’s directed auction. It was inspired by “antique Victorian jewellery with an Oriental spirit, Her Highness wanted a multipurpose jewel to suit the multiple lives of modern women.” An exclusive Middle East Bespoke Edition Rolls-Royce and a unique Arab Horseman Statuette donated by Cartier were among the items which drew interest. Adding a flavour to the evening, Jafri created a piece of original, live artwork at the Gala Dinner. The painting drew inspiration from Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic space flights, the MIA and the children supported by ROTA.

Since its inception four years ago, ROTA has completed the construction and renovation of 88 schools, provided educational opportunities to more than 14,200 students annually, trained more than 1,111 teachers each year, created over 532 jobs, set up voluntary network in Qatar with over 800 volunteers, organised trips to six volunteers and eight local events, and signed 21 partnerships.THE PENINSULA

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