Place2Be Scotland named as the local charity set to benefit from city's first Global Gift Gala
Actress Eva Longoria is following in the footsteps of fellow Hollywood stars George Clooney and Leonardo DiCaprio in visiting Edinburgh for a charity event.
The former Desperate Housewives star is coming to the capital on May 21 as the guest of honour at the Global Gift Gala.
The first time the event has been held in Edinburgh, it will donate its profits to the Global Gift Foundation, the Eva Longoria Foundation and Scottish children’s mental health charity Place2Be Scotland.
It’s not clear exactly how much each charity will benefit from just yet but demand is likely to be high for dinner places despite VIP tickets costing £250.
Last year when DiCaprio and in 2015 when Clooney were in town and visited the Social Bite social enterprise parts of the city centre almost came to a standstill such was the interest and both made national TV news headlines.
Olivia Curno, director of fundraising at Place2Be, said her organisation was delighted to be one of the beneficiaries and was looking forward to the exposure as well as the financial boost the gala will bring.
“Place2Be is absolutely delighted to benefit from the inaugural Global Gift Gala in Edinburgh,” Curno said.
“Funds raised will help us ensure the sustainability of our work in Scotland and the event will shine a much-needed spotlight on children’s mental health, a subject too often overlooked.
“One of the children we work with, Jessica, aged six, told us that “life can be complicated” and that is why Place2Be exists, to help children unravel the complications that life throws at them.”
The Global Gift Foundation is a non-profit organisation that aims to help children, women and families who are in need around the world.
It has previously held Global Gift Galas in Cannes, Mexico, Paris, Marbella, Punta Cana and Dubai with the events raising a combined £2 million.
The Edinburgh event will also be attended by Irish model and DJ Vogue Williams, who will compere the evening and models Ashley James and Charlotte De Carle.
It will feature a champagne reception and three course meal prepared by Michelin-starred chefs the Galvin Brothers as well as a live auction.
Organiser Nick Ede, a London based PR consultant originally from Edinburgh, told the Edinburgh Evening News he has longed to host a gala in his home city.
He said: “When I brought charity founder Maria Bravo to Edinburgh she immediately fell in love with the city and its people.
“I think Scottish people are very philanthropic and the Caledonian is such an iconic hotel that it all felt like the perfect fit.
“My father is 91 this year and he’s never seen anything I have done as he has been unable to travel to the London galas, so I am most excited to share it with him and introduce him to my Global Gift family.”
