Princess Beatrice's Hat, £81,100.01, and what this means to Children in Crisis

Children in Crisis are absolutely delighted by the success of Princess Beatrice’s Royal Wedding hat auction, and would like to thank Princess Beatrice, the very generous successful bidder and all who have helped to make the auction the charity event of 2011.

Koy Thomson, Chief Executive of Children in Crisis said;

"It has been an incredibly exciting ten days. It has been called the hat that got a million tongues wagging in Europe, America, Russia, Asia, Australasia and everywhere in between. It has created one of the most watched online auctions and far surpassed expectations of the amount of money it could raise for Children in Crisis and UNICEF. 

The hat auction has achieved three very important things for Children in Crisis. It has given a global profile to the plight of tens of millions of children and young girls who go without education, basic health care or adequate food. It has raised a very significant sum of money for addressing children’s needs, and it has set an example for how young people can be leaders in raising funds for good causes in fresh and fun ways.

We have raised enough to build a school in the remote plateau of Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo which will last for 50 years and serve 1200 pupils a year. It is enough to train over one hundred community midwives in the Yushu province of Tibet, China, to save the lives of young mothers and newborn babies where the risk of death in childbirth is a terrible one in six. It is enough to set up 400 young Liberian girls who have missed out on school because of war, in an enterprise of their own. It is enough to equip 10 community schools in Afghanistan, giving a second chance to street children to re-enter education.

Every penny of the money raised will improve the lives of vulnerable children through addressing our most pressing strategic priorities."
 

(Photography: www.mikestone.co.uk)

Princess Beatrice commented;

“I cannot believe the amazing response to the hat, it has its own personality, and I am so happy that we have raised the most incredible amount of money and can make an even bigger change for the lives of some of the most vulnerable children across the world. I am so grateful to all those who have taken the time to participate in the auction, I know that with all their support we are going to make a real difference in providing education, health and support to children who are most in need. This has been such a wonderful project to be a part of, working with Children in Crisis and UNICEF has been fantastic. I am so lucky to be nearly finishing my university life and I know that this money will help make it possible for others to do the same."

This auction has been a great success, as testified by the amazing winning bid and wide media coverage surrounding the hat. This success is in no small part due to the hard work and co-operation of several dedicated staff-members and agencies. Children in Crisis would like to thank all of those who contributed to this auction, and in particular the staff at UNICEF UK and Amanda Thirsk, with who we have thoroughly enjoyed working with over the last couple of weeks.  

For more information about Children in Crisis contact Lucy Porter on lucyp@childrenincrisis.org 0207 627 6743 / 07788 593974