The Special Olympics Unity Gala Fundraising Gala Dinner was held at the Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau on Monday, according to a statement from the organisers on the same day.
The statement noted that the event was organised by Special Olympics, which Wikipedia says is the world’s largest sports organisation for children and adults with intellectual or physical disabilities, and was supported by Special Olympics Macau and SJM Resorts.
The statement said that this year marks Special Olympics Macau’s 35th anniversary and a number of special Olympics events were held throughout the year to celebrate its anniversary and benefited its athletes and their families, with the gala dinner being the culmination of the activities for the entire year.
The statement added that the event aimed to bring together people from all walks of life to participate in the charity auction to raise funds for the Special Olympics projects in the coming year, provide a good platform for people with intellectual disabilities’ development, and foster society as a whole to “create an atmosphere of acceptance, equality and respect”.
The event gathered Special Olympics East Asia’s accredited programmes such as Special Olympics China, Special Olympics Macau and Special Olympics Mongolia, as well as Special Olympics supporters from all social circles, according to the statement.
The statement pointed out that the gala dinner raised a total of 1.55 million yuan from 14 auction items donated by individuals and corporations. The items included a Ma Dou Gong “SENG” Terracotta Warrior by Macau Special Olympics athlete Che Kin Seng, an autographed tennis racket donated by former Chinese professional tennis player Li Na, a Stephen Curry-autographed basketball jersey donated by NBA China, among others.
The funds raised from the event, the statement underlined, will be used to support Special Olympics International Strategic Plan’s important projects and help develop the organisation’s movement in the nation.
Moreover, the proceeds will also help the organisation’s athletes to better prepare for the 16th Special Olympics World Summer Games, which will be held in Berlin from June 17-25.
The German capital is slated to welcome over 7,000 Special Olympics athletes from around 170 countries and territories, while over 20,000 volunteers will serve the competition, the statement said.
The statement added that Special Olympics Young Athletes, Special Olympics Healthy Athletes and Motor Activity Training Programme (for athletes with severe disabilities) from Special Olympics East Asia’s projects were also pledged at the event.
This handout photo recently taken and provided by Special Olympics shows autistic youth and future artist of Yamaha, Liu Mingkang, giving a solo piano performance at the Gala dinner held at Grand Lisboa Palace on Monday.
This handout photo taken and provided by Special Olympics shows Macau Special Olympics athletes.
