Doha, QATAR – An entirely exclusive range of collectible hand designed plates, mugs and saucers created by celebrity names will be auctioned at Reach Out To Asia’s (ROTA) star-studded Gala Dinner in Doha this weekend.

South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu; James Bond actor and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Sir Roger Moore; Oscar winning actor, producer and director, George Clooney; British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson; Oscar winning actress Nicole Kidman; designer and head of the DKNY fashion empire, Donna Karan; and one of the world’s most popular rock bands, Coldplay, have all contributed pieces for the auction.

Successful bidders at the Gala Dinner, which takes place at The Ritz Carlton Hotel in Doha on November 4, will take home the individual pieces and acquire the artist’s original artwork.

The plates, donated by Charlotte di Vita MBE, Goodwill Ambassador for the Nelson Mandela Childrens’ Fund, are produced by 21st Century Leaders – a unique charity artwork project with a simple concept. They gather artworks from leaders in all fields; royalty, film, music, Nobel peace laureates, sports, literature, etc.. Each ‘ambassador’ donates a symbol of hope, a self portrait and a message of hope for the future.

These artworks are used to create products such as charity wristbands, clothing, tableware, ethical cosmetics and stationery, all released under the Whatever It Takes charity campaign label. This ‘merchandise with a meaning’ is manufactured under fair working conditions and is sold to raise funds for charitable causes chosen by each contributing leader, with 100 per cent of the net profits donated to charity.

The organisation adopts a ‘no holds barred’ attitude in respect of the artwork, preferring to fly in the face of controversy even when presented with a somewhat less than “politically correct” item. Hence their project name – Whatever It Takes.

Each celebrity chooses the message they would like to convey and prepares the artwork themselves.

The 2006 FIFA World Cup Final football, insured for US$1 million, is also to be auctioned off at the Reach Out To Asia Gala Dinner. Last year’s highly publicised red-carpet affair raised a staggering $US10 million, and it is hoped that this year’s figure will be even higher.


ABOUT 21ST CENTURY LEADERS

21st Century Leaders is a working name of Trade plus Aid, British Charity Reg. No. 1061376.

To donate to the Reach Out To Asia fund-raising drive, pledges can be made to the following account:-

Qatar National Bank, Doha, Qatar
Account: Reach Out To Asia
Account Number: 0035-004919-001