Friends, supporters and representatives from beneficiary organisations gathered at London’s Naval and Military Club for Esharelife’s third Christmas Party this month – and raised thousands for Kenyan education projects.
The glittering event, hosted by sponsor Tratos’ CEO and charity founder Dr Maurizio Bragagni MBA, welcomed special guests from the worlds of politics, business and the arts and featured a highlight silent auction which saw works of art that were – for this year’s Christmas Party – generously sponsored by the artists, D. Mihov, Luca Brandi and Piero Mochi.
Esharelife would like to extend its sincere gratitude and appreciation for the patronage of the Consulate General of Italy in London and the Consulate of San Marino, as well as for the outstandingly kind gesture of Michele Satta, who sponsored the wine for the evening. Likewise, an extensive Thank You to Sir Rocco Forte who also supported the festivities with a generous contribution.
More than 100 invited guests joined the Christmas gathering to look back at the progress enabled by funds from the registered charity and hear about ambitions for 2020.
Addresses were made by speakers including The Right Hon Jeremy Hunt MP; the charity’s Chair, Simon Blagden CBE; Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne; Lord Rami Ranger and Dr Selva Pankaj. Esharelife was overwhelmed by such great support.
Special certificates of appreciation for outstanding donations and support were given to Mr Aris F. Mattheou, Executive Director – External Relations and Professor George Holmes DL, President & Vice Chancellor both from the University of Bolton; Professor Paolo Volpin and Professor Paul Palmer, respectively Interim Dean and Director of The Centre for Charity Effectiveness at Cass Business School and Professor Phil Harris, Executive Director at the University of Chester.
Esharelife showcased some of the opportunities and chances created through the provision of school places for children and vocational training for young adults thanks to the work of beneficiary organisations, including one of the charity’s founding project providers, international education aid organisation, AVSI.
AVSI Kenya Project Manager Antonino Masuri gave an inspiring speech and a good understanding of the great work which he and his team are performing in Kenya. Esharelife is grateful to be able to support projects like the Distance Support Programme of Avsi Kenya, which beautifully demonstrates the impact our help has on the lives of less privileged people in our world.
Dr Bragagni thanked friends of Esharelife for their continued support and especially valued the time invested by guests of the evening, naming it a special gift – and furthermore mentioned how everyone’s time would yield change for good for young lives, thanks to education.
“You are giving attention, sharing your intelligence and support – and opening a door on potential for further involvement on some level. It is of enormous value to the people who run the projects Esharelife supports, and the children and young adults they help.
“Time is valuable and it is powerful.
“Two or three hours of your time, here, this evening – and connections are made. People get to know each other. They get a clearer picture of what these projects are achieving, who is involved and who is benefitting.
Dr Maurizio Bragagni underlined the importance of education for children in Kenya with a beautiful quotation from Michelangelo to conclude the evening:
“Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.”