In collaboration with Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, world-famous Formula One photographer Mark Sutton and the world’s foremost racing drivers, Make-A-Wish Foundation. UAE will put personally autographed photographs and unique racing memorabilia on silent auction at the hotel’s Lobby Lounge.  Visitors are invited to either donate or bid on their favourite racing collectibles to support this Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE fundraising initiative.

Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE tirelessly makes the wishes of children with life-threatening conditions come true.  The grand prix in Abu Dhabi will bring the city onto the global spotlight.

“An ongoing commitment of Shangri-La Hotel, Abu Dhabi is to support the local community and our partnership with Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE is at the forefront of our fundraising activities over the busy racing weekend.  We aim to raise unprecedented funds in the week leading up to and during this global event,” General Manager Thomas Guss said.

Make A Wish Foundation UAE’s Chief Executive Officer Hani Alzubaidi said, “We are thrilled with the response, both locally and globally, to drive this initiative in support of our ongoing fundraising initiatives and look forward to making many more kids’ wishes come true.”

Starting the week before race day, guests may visit the hotel and bid on their favourite souvenir to raise funds through an online silent auction application.  The fundraiser will support all of Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE’s initiatives to help young children make their personal aspirations come true.

In October 2003, Make-A-Wish Foundation UAE became the global organisation’s first office in the gulf region.  The foundation is led by President, Honorary Chairman and Lifetime Patron HH Sheikha Sheikha Bint Saif Bin Mohammad Al Nahyan.

Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi supports the foundation and shares its vision to grant the wish of every eligible child living in the UAE by supporting wish-granting and social activities.

Wish Kids may wish to meet a celebrity or a race-car driver, make a movie clip or visit a local attraction or event.  Wishes are as unique as the children who make them.

A team of people have joined forces to make this fund raising event extraordinary.  This initiative would not be possible without the support of the world’s top racing drivers, Mark Sutton of global motorsports photo agency Sutton Images from the United Kingdom, Formula One journalist Inga Stracke, KBS Communications hosting the Fashion Fever Grand Prix event at Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi and, of course, the team at Make-A-Wish Foundation® UAE.

The community may also opt to donate funds via SMS between 22 and 29 November 2015.  To donate, simply text SLAD to the following numbers and the stated amount will be submitted: SMS the word SLAD to 4888 to donate Dh20

SMS the word SLAD to 6888 to donate Dh100

To follow the campaign, please visit Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi’s Facebook #shangrilawishkids page.  To bid in the silent auction starting Monday, 23 November Click Here.

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Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages more than 90 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 38,000.  Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services.  Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.  The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar and Sri Lanka. For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at
www.shangri-la.com.

Sutton Images is the world’s largest independent motorsport image agency covering Formula One since 1960-2015, with over one million images online and an archive of over five million images.

Inga Stracke is a multi-talented journalist, event organizer, and networker who is at home in the Formula One paddocks around the world, helping to organize fundraisers and reporting for a network of newspapers, magazines and media outlets. She also writes culinary features for MICHELIN-Restaurants and works as a PR-consultant.

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