Wanna Read? Gala raises Dh400,000

‘Wanna Read?’ A division of the Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian and Scientific Foundation and founded by Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, hosted its first fundraiser on Friday, May 13 at The Ritz Carlton in Abu Dhabi. The silent auction at the event generated over Dh400,000.

The event was graced by the presence of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan,  Sheikha Sheikha bint Saif Al Nahyan, Sheikha Lubna bint Khaled Al Qasimi and well attended by dignitaries, celebrities, and entrepreneurs.

The gala dinner, organised and managed by Plan b, the initiative’s official event and marketing partners, rolled out a fairytale event themed around the timeless classic Alice in Wonderland. The keynote speaker for the evening was renowned media figure Becky Anderson, Managing Editor and Anchor at CNN Abu Dhabi.

Spirited bidding unfolded during the silent auction, proceeds from which will fund the development of six new reading rooms for children across hospitals in the UAE.

Sheikha Shamma said, "The funds raised will allow "Wanna Read?" to expand by offering young patients a stimulating and enriching environment with an abundance of books to encourage healing through reading."

Falcon Aviation and Marina Mall sponsored the ‘Wanna Read?’ gala.

Contributors of the silent auction were Souq.com, Danube Home, The Ritz Carlton Hotel Abu Dhabi, Sarky Jewelry, Gehna Jewellery Boutique, Swiss Art Gate UAE, Yvan Lozzi, Reynald Aubert, Niclas Castello, Daniela Rossner, Maria Noga, Philip Van Avermaet, Mona Al Khaja, Carlo Ferrrari, Khalifa El Shimy, Sana Khan, Maliha Peracha, Rafae Ali, Suzi Fadel, Seema Bhatia, and Shivani Mathur.

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