Swiss Red Cross Gala

Haus am See, 24. June 2019

A total of CHF 604,000 was donated to mothers and children in need during the 2019 Swiss Red Cross Gala in Zurich. The funds  are used to finance health projects in 18 countries. The donations came mainly through the charity auction and the Tombola.

Background: Improving the health of women and children is a central concern of the Swiss Red Cross (SRC). Pregnancy is still life threatening for millions of women in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The lack of clean drinking water, poor hygiene and malnutrition have a negative impact on children’s development and make them susceptible to disease. The Rotkreuz Gala’s donation income provides mothers and children in need worldwide with access to medical aid.

The retiring SRC President Annemarie Huber-Hotz thanked the around 200 guests: „Thanks to the donations, we can continue to train midwives or equip health posts in remote villages – and thus help thousands of mothers and children.“

Before we danced to summer beats from Loco Escrito and DJ Antoine, Andreas Rumbler was hosting the charity auction. Some of the most compelling pieces to purchase were for example art from the Zurich and St. Moritz Gallery Elle.  My favourite was the „Balloon Chandelier“ from Matteo Gonet and the „Promethius Ring Lamp“ from Christopher Boots. Gallerist Atossa Meier’s fun stage presence was much loved by the audience.

Among the guests were personalities such as Mark Streit, Dominique Gisin, Nubya or Iqbal Khan.

The leading gala committee for the first time at this gala delighted the guests with a new concept: idyllic location directly on Lake Zurich, summery, elegant ambience and a more intimate setting. While food artist Sandro Zingger caused culinary heights, the racy rhythms Loco Escrito and DJ Antoine made us all get up from our chairs and dance.

Presenter Christa Rigozzi hosted the evening. The event really was a fun summer party; an evening well spent with a few familiar faces, but also making plenty of new acquaintances over champagne, wine, delicious food and fun music in a breathtaking environment. It didn’t end there; on departure we were given a fresh from the oven warm Sprüngli Zopf (Swiss Tradition Sunday Bread) that didn’t make it until next morning for us. 

The goodie bags included products by ‚La Colline‘, a nurturing thick moisturiser and eye cream that now count to my favourite products. I also won some Georgio Armani beauty products in the raffle, such as this mascara, that is one of my favourites ever.

Better health care

The Swiss Red Cross is funding mother-child programs in 18 countries with the net profit from the charity gala. The programs improve access to health care – for example with the training of midwives or mobile health stations. The training of mothers in questions of nutrition and child care and information on family planning also play an important role in the programs

To see more check out my story highlight of the evening on my Instagram.