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One of the most flamboyant social events in the London calendar,
The Magic Ball, took place on Saturday 6 December
at The Savoy Hotel in support of Anti-Slavery International,
the world's oldest international human rights organisation (est.
1839).
"The media is full of stories concerning the trafficking
of children in the UK, Europe, Africa and Asia. From the youngest
age, these children are deprived of all innocence, of family love
and of what childhood should entail. I believe we all have a collective
responsibility to offer whatever support we can to organisations
like Anti-Slavery International," Ball Patron and supporter
Shakira Caine says.
The Savoy Ballroom was transformed by sound and vision into a welcoming
jungle for an event attended by a host of celebrities from the world
of sport and television, including: Linford Christie, Nicholas
Parsons, Hugh Quarshie, Tessa Sanderson and Richard Wilson.
The evening included entertainment from two talented, young musicians:
Joshua Field - an 18 year old composer and pianist who played a
piece especially composed for and dedicated to Archbishop Desmond
Tutu and Anti-Slavery International and Gethyn Baker - the 15 year
old singer who won the 2002 Grand Final of Kids Stars in Their
Eyes. The evening's entertainment was completed by the celebrated
comedy juggler, Steve Rawlings.
Following dinner, a grand auction took place led by personality
Nicholas Parsons. The auction, which alone raised more than
£20,000, included an original tiger painting by renowned wildlife
artist David Shepherd OBE.
Committed Anti-Slavery International supporter, television star
Hugh Quarshie, spoke of the continuing need for the charity's work:
"Unlike many other charities, Anti-Slavery International
is trying to work itself out of business. Its campaign to end all
forms of slavery would, when finally successful, put an end to the
need for its existence. We need your support to achieve this goal."
In 2002, the United Nations estimated more than eight million children
are suffering in slavery. They are trafficked, working as bonded
labourers or other forms of forced labour, recruited for armed conflict,
prostitution, pornography and other illegal activities; a further
111 million children, under 15, work in hazardous conditions, from
which they should immediately be withdrawn.
These children are deprived of education and all other children's
rights. Anti-Slavery International estimates that millions more
people are trapped in various forms of slavery such as bonded labour,
forced labour and forced marriage.
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