Laureus Charity Night 2024 – You are the champions!

Goosebumps

Every October, in Zurich, there is an event that invariably gives me goosebumps. It’s the Laureus Charity Night, which combines the glamour of 600 glamorous guests (indeed, there is a queue of people waiting outside to see them entering the venue, the Kongresshaus) with some personal stories which make me feel that the world is a beautiful place.

This year, my favorite part was Sarah Van Berkel‘s dance. The stage was a spectacular mix of colors, dancers and children. It was only at the end that I realised that many of the children had disabilities. That‘s exactly the point: I hadn’t seen it. Kids, at Laureus, are just kids, no matter how they look like or from which situation they come from. Being the godmother of an adolescent with Down Syndrome myself, I can see the importance of moving and having fun, for everybody. And this is one of the things Laureus does, every day: helping children to move, and move up in life.

But now,  let’s be practical and let’s talk about money.

Guess how much?

CHF 1’179’000 were raised during the evening.

The generosity came from sponsors (like Mercedes, IWC, UBS, MSS and ON), from the guests themselves (who paid for their tables and also bid during the auctions), and from the Laureus Ambassadors – sport icons and gold medalists that use their image and their time to raise money, and to work with children and adolescents. Not only they go “on field” and train with children, teaching them the values of sport, but they also offer unforgettable experiences that can be bought at the auctions. For example, this year, someone bought a ticket to be with Marco Odermatt and Simon Ehammer  at a kitchen party with top chefs. Someone else paid to be with Bernhard Russi and Franz Klammer at the World Championship in Saalbach (this experience alone was paid CHF 51’000). On Running donated money for each runner that joined the charity run in the morning. I was there too, it was a blast!

Dolphins

Another experience that was offered at the auction was swimming with dolphins in Egypt. When someone offered  CHF 41’000 for it, billionaire Samih Sawiris, who was behind the package, got the microphone and said that he had decided to give the anonymnous buyer “a bit of a bigger boat”, since he paid so much. Moderator Rainer Maria Saltzgeber was pleased and amused, and repeated his words with a smile. Also, how often have you been in a room with Gold medalists, Olympians and top athletes, and rich donors too? The Laureus Charity Night really is one of a kind.

Gold

Talking about gold, I also loved the interview with Chiara Leone, Gold Medalist in Paris, Marcel Hug (who lost count of how many gold medals he won), and Catherine Debrunner, who was also wearing her Gold Medal. Their fresh approach, force and determination for sure helped the bidders to offer a bit more. And these athletes, of course, always go the extra mile also by being part of Laureus, therefore giving back what they earned. They are the champions, and everybody who gives (time, money, or, also, just kindness) is a champion too.

Baschi, the man who always brings some fun even in the most formal Swiss event, closed the evening in style, singing his beloved song Bring en Hei, that made everybody get up from their seats and dance.

If you like what Laureus is doing, have a look at their webpage. Or simply, move more, be kind, and have fun!

About Laureus

During the year, champions and Laureus ambassadors do sport activities with children. They meet in schools, gym or camps, train with them and spend some time together, tell them their personal stories of how they achieved their goals, motivate them and inspire them by moving and playing. Sport for Good is the motto, and Laureus supports more than 10’000 children in Switzerland every year in seven social sports projects. Imagine biking with Fabian Cancellara or running with Mujinga Kambundji! All children, regardless of origin, social class, health restrictions etc are integrated and motivated to reach a self-determined life. The focus is not on performance, but on the joy of sport and of the shared experience.

Gender equality, reduced inequality, good health and well being are the result of the foundation’s tireless work.