The Savoy Hotel’s dazzling Lancaster Ballroom was once again the venue for AMAR’s annual Gala Dinner,  which this year had a masquerade ball as its theme.  The event, held on Friday, June 12th, 2015, was kindly sponsored by Numerus Group and SIM Services, both leading companies in the Middle East working to support the Iraqi people.

Baroness Nicholson spoke at the beginning of the event and welcomed Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, one of the 12 Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who surprised everyone by presenting Baroness Nicholson with a donation of half a million dollars – an extremely generous contribution to our ongoing work in Iraq! Following this stunning news, a luxurious three-course dinner was served and entertainment provided by operatic singers from The Peace & Prosperity Trust, Zeina Barhoum and Bassem Alkhouri. Dr Ali Nasser Muthanna, AMAR’s Regional Manager, took the stage and gave us all an insight into the realities on the ground in Iraq, and reminded the audience about what we were raising money for.

The evening ended with an exciting auction presented by Charlie Thomas of Bonhams, but not before actor and comedian, Omid Djalili, made the audience roar with laughter. The event was a great success and raised just over £34,000 for AMAR’s work with displaced people throughout Iraq, providing a range of emergency services such as healthcare, training and food boxes.

“The executive management and employees of SIM are all honoured to be a staunch supporter of the AMAR Foundation and its annual gala dinner for the last five-years,” said Mr Anis Hakawati, CEO of SIM Services. “We congratulate and recognize Baroness Nicholson of Winterbourne for her commitment and passionate efforts in overseeing the AMAR Foundation’s work in the delivery of primary healthcare and education services in Iraq, having a beneficial and distinctive impact on the future prosperity of the country. We wish you continued success in your endeavours and we remain committed to the cause.”

Thank you to all who attended, supported and donated!