This past Saturday, I had my first Christmas dinner of the year at the Oxford and Cambridge Society’s Christmas Charity Ball. Around 240 alumni – influential people from business, government and academia – turned out in their finest satin gowns and dinner jackets to eat, dance and make merry, but more importantly, to dig deep into their pockets and give back to society.
For the second year running, WildChina supported this event by donating one of our signature journeys as top prize for the live auction. This year, we were thrilled to offer an unforgettable 6-day journey for two along enchanting Silk Road. A chance to walk in the footsteps of famous Italian explorer Marco Polo, this trip takes travellers to explore the bustling bazaars, breathtaking desert landscapes, and vibrant Uighur culture that lies at the heart of Xinjiang province.
The journey, worth 23,000 RMB, was finally awarded to Mr. Charles Du Cane, whose bid will go directly to the Chi Heng Foundation, the OCCB’s chosen charity for 2011.
The Chi Heng Foundation (CHF) is a Hong Kong based charity established in 1998 that helps children across China affected by AIDS. CHF will channel all the proceeds from the ball, a whopping 180,000 RMB, into funding for scholarships, therapy and medication for these children in need, some of whom have already lost their parents to the virus. Since 2007, WildChina has actively supported the Chi Heng Foundation with donations and a series of employee volunteer days, so the ball was a great opportunity for WildChina to renew support of this worthy cause.
Last year, WildChina’s Songtsam Circuit: Secrets of Shangri-La journey helped to raise 19,000 RMB for the Beijing Charities Association to provide essential supplies, furniture (desks, chairs) and sports and IT equipment for a primary school for underprivileged children just 3hrs drive of Beijing.
Watch this space for an update on WildChina’s sustainable initiatives!
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This note was written by Samantha Woods, a WildChina travel consultant who attend the Oxbridge and Cambridge Christmas Charity Ball last weekend.
