Credit: Rotary Club Luxembourg-Hearts
The Rotary Club Luxembourg-Hearts celebrated its tenth anniversary with a Masquerade Charity Gala at Hôtel Le Royal in Luxembourg-Ville on Saturday 19 October 2024.
As reported by the organisers, the event brought together more than 170 guests in support of Fondatioun Kriibskrank Kanner, which supports the families of children with cancer. Over the course of the evening, the event raised €35,000 to help fund research into children's brain tumours. The funds were collected through a combination of sponsor contributions, ticket sales, guest donations, raffle tickets and silent auction purchases.
The guest of honour (pictured below) was Luxembourg's Minister of Health and Social Security, Martine Deprez, whose presence highlighted the importance of community-driven healthcare support, noted the organisers.
The evening's programme was led by Lisa Burke who served as the Master of Ceremonies.
Two exhibitions added a unique cultural element to the gala, showcasing both artistic expression and technological innovation:
- Thomas Iser, a Franco-Luxembourgish artist, displayed a selection of his #UniversalHumanity photography series, which explores themes of diversity. Guests had the opportunity to purchase several of his works, with many pieces being sold on the night to raise funds for the charity;
- Matthieu Bracchetti, CEO of Virtual Rangers, presented an interactive virtual reality experience featuring "Roudy", a character created to provide comfort to paediatric patients at the Centre Hospitalier de Luxembourg (CHL). The VR experience was designed to ease anxiety and offer a playful escape for young patients undergoing medical treatments.
Guests also enjoyed a variety of live performances throughout the evening, including jazz performances by Manuela Rufolo and Pierre Brouant, circus acts by Zaltimbourg Zirkus, magic tricks by Max le Magicien, and music by DJ Double J.
Moreover, the event featured a raffle and silent auction, where guests could bid on various prizes. These included private yoga sessions, luxury spa treatments, art pieces, fine wines, dining vouchers and hotel stays. The organisers noted that the raffle and auction contributed significantly to the overall success of the evening.
Established in 2014, Rotary Club Luxembourg-Hearts is part of Rotary District 2160. The club's mission is to bring together both expatriates and locals who are committed to community service and charitable initiatives. Over the past decade, the club has supported a range of causes, from healthcare and education to social inclusion. By uniting individuals from various backgrounds, the club aims to foster a spirit of collaboration and service in support of local and international needs.
