Simply Abu Dhabi XXXIV

Sentebale’s flagship event has been running for nine years taking place in different locations around the world. This is the first time the prestigious event has taken place at Italy’s longest standing club, which has had extended history of royal visits, with Her Majesty The Queen watching a polo match which featured The Duke of Edinburgh as the captain of the British team almost 70 years ago. This is the second year that ISPS Handa has assumed the role of title sponsor, having supported the event for a number of years. To date, the event has raised over £6.5million for Sentebale’s work addressing the mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents whose lives have been affected by HIV in southern Africa where HIV continues to claim many young lives. In 2018 alone, the charity supported over 4,000 children and young people in Lesotho, Botswana and more recently in Malawi, through monthly clubs and Sentebale’s residential camps for those coming to terms with living with HIV, where together with their peers, they have a safe space to address their challenges. Richard Miller, CEO of Sentebale said, “We are so grateful to all our generous sponsors who continue to help young people affected by the HIV epidemic in southern Africa. We are making progress in the battle against HIV and AIDS but there is still a long way to go and Sentebale needs vital funds. In a country like Lesotho, where Sentabale began, the number of HIV infections has halved in the last decade but sadly HIV prevalence amongst young women is still increasing. It is vital that we can continue to deliver much-needed care, education and critical psychosocial support, encouraging young people to know and safely manage their HIV status. The funds raised through this annual flagship event remain key to supporting Sentebale’s high quality, community led programmes so we can help achieve the goal of an AIDS free generation in Southern Africa.” Sentebale and St. Regis Ambassador Nacho Figueras: “It is wonderful to be working with Sentebale raising awareness and funds for children affected by HIV in southern Africa. I’ve seen first hand the impact this work has on young lives and as a father, I know only too well how important education, love and support is to children.” www.sentebale.org.