May 2006
Unique Auction & Gala Dinner hosted by StratREAL Chairman to support the Prince of Wales Arts & Kids Foundation

Patrons, friends and guests from across the cultural world turned out in force on March 25th to demonstrate their support for The Prince of Wales Arts & Kids Foundation, at a Gala Dinner & Auction hosted by their Patron, Pierre Rolin. Supported by fellow Arts & Kids' Patrons, Kate Adie and James Naughtie, and StratREAL trustee, Tom Shebbeare, over 150 guests were welcomed to The Berkeley Hotel's Ballroom for dinner and an evening of dancing and laughter with The Gypsy Kings

The evening's Grand Auction was managed by Colin Sheaf of Bonhams. Guests were invited to bid for a range of unique lots, all of which were generously donated for the evening and included experiences and opportunities that cannot be bought.

Unmissable opportunities included:

  • A tour of the gardens at Highgrove, followed by tea in The Orchard
  • Room at Highgrove (donated by HRH The Prince of Wales);
  • A morning with the BBC Radio 4 'Today' Programme as James Naughtie's guest;
  • A unique bedtime story to be written around your own children by award-winning author Eleanor Updale;
  • The chance to own bespoke jewellery designed by Tom McEwan - a ring first worn by 'Amber', in the television programme Footballer's Wives;
  • An incredible dinner party - created by Peter Lloyd, Executive Chef at the award-winning City Inn Westminster in your own home.

The Prince of Wales Arts & Kids Foundation's work across the UK will give children the chance to get to know and love their local theatre, orchestra and gallery, and every child who participates will benefit from a whole year of arts experiences, including at least two visits to a performance or exhibition.

The programme is being supported by The StratREAL Foundation, and as Chairman Pierre is committed to demonstrating his personal involvement. The success of this evening more than doubled the support the Arts & Kids Foundation has received through his Patronage, and introduced the work of the charity to a number of international guests.

Commenting, Pierre said: "We are delighted to be supporting The Prince of Wales Arts and Kids Foundation. The arts should be available to everyone - they can give a child a way to understand other cultures and ways of life, to perhaps regain lost self-esteem or return to formal education, or just simply offer an escape into a new, magical world for an hour or two."

Note to editors:

  • The StratREAL Foundation was established in 2003 to help improve the lives of children and young people around the world.
  • The Foundation works to forge relationships with selected partners in order to channel funds to support carefully thought-through projects and programmes that make a tangible difference in the lives of young people.
  • The Foundation also assists philanthropists who wish to make a positive difference in the lives of young people by helping to ensure that their charitable contributions are directed toward projects that have a direct and apparent impact.
  • The StratREAL Foundation works in partnership with the following charities: Learning Through the Arts, New York Academy of Arts, The Prince of Wales Arts & Kids Foundation, The Prince's Drawing School, UNESCO Foundation - Education for Children in Need, VSO.

The Prince of Wales Arts & Kids Foundation

The Prince of Wales Arts & Kids Foundation works to give every child the chance to experience the arts. The arts can give children the chance to step outside themselves and into a world without boundaries. Arts & Kids' work opens the door to the arts to many children who might not otherwise have that chance.