Gala dinner aims to raise wildlife conservation funds

The Spirit of Giving Gala, due to take place on January 29, aims to attract 450 visitors to its fund-raising dinner.

DUBAI // A gala dinner is taking place this month to raise money to preserve local animal species.

Featuring a mystery international celebrity and a host of other VIP guests, the Spirit of Giving Gala is a new approach to environmental fundraising in the emirate, organisers said.

The event will take place on January 29 at The Gate in the Dubai International Financial Centre.

It aims to attract 450 visitors with tickets at Dh1,285 per person or Dh9,843 for a table of eight.

Funds raised will benefit the marine turtle conservation programme run by the Emirates Wildlife Society – World Wide Fund for Nature (EWS-WWF), as well as the charity’s species conservation work in the Wadi Wurayah National Park in Fujairah.

Lisa Perry, programmes director at EWS-WWF, said: “It is the first time this has been done so it is hard to say [how much will be collected] but we do know the funds raised will go a long way in supporting us and the programmes we run.

“The really positive thing is that they [the funds] will stay here in the UAE for species conservation work locally and it is really needed.”

Kathy Bayat, the chief executive and founder of event organisers Phantom Events Management, said: “It is a great honour to work with non-profit organisations such as EWS-WWF and extremely rewarding to know we are contributing to an organisation focused on funding change and changing attitudes.”

The former banker-turned-entrepreneur specialises in organising high-profile events for clients, but is also an animal activist.

The idea was conceived by Arianne Asunsolo, a project director at the company.

“Kathy is very passionate about animal rights and so am I,” said Ms Asunsolo. “There are many galas in Dubai but we wanted something different.”

The event also hopes to promote an awareness of sustainability, with the catering, invitations and ambiance aiming to reflect this.

“It has been a welcome challenge to develop event concepts that consider the conservation of our planet,” Ms Bayat said. “All items on the menu will be created from organic foods, invitations will be made from recycled paper and the giveaways will all have an eco-friendly theme.”

Yet, befitting a gala, ballroom dancing, an art auction and a guest list featuring high-profile guests will be part of the itinerary.

“It has been hard work but we are very inspired because we know we are helping a little bit,” Ms Asunsolo said. “It is a good feeling.”