The Zeitz Foundation held its first fundraiser this year, in a bid to raise money for its projects, including in the Long Run Destinations.
The Zeitz Foundation fundraiser took place in London on the 14th of July 2010. Some 130 guests gathered at Il Bottaccio at Grosvenor Place to enjoy an evening of good food, live music, dancing and auctions.
Jochen Zeitz, Founder of the Zeitz Foundation, welcomed guests before giving the floor to Foundation Ambassador for Community, Gregory David Roberts, who spoke about how we have a choice to act like humans or chimps and how we can be the change we want to see. Pavan Sukhdev, Study Leader for “The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity”, spoke after Roberts about the economic cost of the loss of biodiversity and the associated decline in ecosystem services worldwide. Both speakers had guests riveted, laughing and nodding vigorously in agreement; truly inspirational!
One of the evening’s many highlights was the contemporary art auction including lunches and studio visits with several of the artists.
Guests bid for art work from famed artists such as Harland Miller, Sam Taylor-Wood, Marc Quinn, Kehinde Wiley, Alvaro Gomez and other major artists and photography by Michael Poliza and Don McCullin. The auctioneer from Christie’s also auctioned off ‘experiences’ including staying at the Zeitz Foundation’s Long Run Destinations, spending a Ferrari-focused day in Maranello, or training with the world’s fastest man and Zeitz Foundation Ambassador for Culture (Sport), Usain Bolt.
As well as being entertained by the auction, guests took part in a raffle that saw everyone leave with great items from Stella McCartney, Gucci, Bottega Veneta and others.
Guests were entertained by musical talent Ruu Campbell while sipping on sustainably sourced eco cocktails and after a delicious vegan sit down dinner which was in support of Stella McCartney’s ‘Meat Free Monday’ campaign, jazz guitarist, harmonica player and singer from Cameroon, Muntu Valdo, performed, getting the audience into a dancing mood. The evening came to a close at 2am and guests made their way home with gift bags including Gregory David Robert's novel - the international phenomenon 'Shantaram' – and fabulous intellectual stimulation from speakers.
The Zeitz Foundation wishes to extend a special thank you to all guests and sponsors, in particular the brands who gave for the raffle, the artists who donated works and the Long Run Destinations (as attached), as well as the masters behind the scenes who worked above and beyond and donated extra time to make it a wonderful event:
Zeitz Foundation Events Team:
Sarah Woodhead and Alexia Hargrave
Nigel Peters
Beckielou Brown
Lydia Hargrave
Zeitz Foundation Event PR:
Mich Ahern
Filming:
Luke Hyams
Support Team:
Janet Barnett
Andrea Barron
Claire Breukel
Robert Carr
Mark Coetzee
Crew Love hosting assistance at the event:
Iris Andrews, Jodie Dalmeda, Joanna Natasegara, Debbie Stephens and Adam Englander
