The Mercy Ships Monaco Gala, an event that sought to raise crucial funds for the association’s fleet of civilian hospital ships and medical training programmes, garnered to close to €375,000 in support and donations during its inaugural edition.
On 15th June, Roland Brautigam, the CEO of Monaco-based Romas Marine and an ambassador for the Mercy Ships initiative, held the first gala benefiting the charitable association, which helps run the world’s largest civilian hospital ships.
Monaco Life was invited along to the very special occasion at the Fairmont Monte Carlo, joining VIP guests such as Emmy-nominated Hollywood film producer Rohit Karn Batra, who was there to document the event, and TV presenter Pietro Polidori, who hosted the evening.
Following a champagne welcome, a performance celebrating African dance and heritage set the colourful mood for the soirée. Guests were later treated to a vibrant fashion show organised by Marharyta Pohosian, a model and the founder of Margaux Management, a three-course gourmet dinner and a short film depicting Mercy Ships’ impactful work.
But the live and silent auctions that punctuated the evening were the stars of the programme, and helped raise an incredible €372,660. Among the lots on offer was an optical sculpture of late South African President Nelson Mandela made by famous Brazilian artist and Monaco resident Marcus Marin.
The funds will help sustain Mercy Ships’ operations along the African coast. The non-profit organisation, which was established in 1978 and received recognition for its humanitarian efforts from Mandela himself, performs more than 6,000 life-saving and life-changing medical operations each year. Mercy Ships also provides extensive medical training to local and rural healthcare professionals in some of the poorest regions of the continent.
Roland Brautigam told Monaco Life, “I am so extremely proud that, during our first historic Mercy Ships Monaco Gala, we raised an astonishing €372,660 for Mercy Ships. Passion, teamwork, the will to do good and a common goal produce outstanding results.”
Read related:
Mercy Ships and sustainability: Romas Marine’s Roland Brautigam sets a course for a better future
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