HONG KONG, CHINA. The Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) is to raise funds for international cleft charity Smile Train during the upcoming annual Summer in the City networking event in Hong Kong on 21 August.
Smile Train is the world’s largest cleft-focused non-profit with a sustainable model of supporting cleft surgeries and other forms of essential cleft care. For more than 25 years, the group has supported safe, high-quality and free cleft care for over two million children worldwide.
Guests are encouraged to donate to Smile Train via a prize draw during the evening, and APTRA will match the amount raised as a donation to the organisation.
Smile Train SVP, Community & Ambassador Development Troy Reinhart said: “We are very grateful to APTRA for choosing to raise funds for Smile Train at the upcoming Summer in the City evening in Hong Kong.
“As Smile Train commemorates its 25th anniversary this year we’re celebrating some major milestones, including our two millionth cleft surgery and a ground-breaking economic impact report detailing Smile Train-supported surgeries boosting economies by US$69 billion in more than 90 countries.
“Asia is home to three of the top five countries. This is largely thanks to empowering individuals post-treatment to live an independent life and make their own income, as a result of the treatment.”
APTRA President and King Power Group (Hong Kong) CEO Sunil Tuli added: “Smile Train is a cause very close to my heart and I’m delighted that APTRA will be raising funds towards its vital work in transforming young lives across the world.
“I encourage everyone in travel retail in Hong Kong to join us for what promises to be a fantastic evening of networking, with cocktails and Champagne courtesy of Pernod Ricard, an insightful presentation from Anson Bailey on KPMG APAC’s latest consumer insights report – and the opportunity to change lives, one smile at a time.”
This year, Tuli raised over US$80,000 for Smile Train through a sponsored trek to Base Camp, Mount Everest covered on a daily basis by The Moodie Davitt Report. All funds raised went directly to the non-profit group.
In keeping with APTRA’s not for profit status, tickets to Summer in the City are priced at US$100 per person to cover costs and include Duddell’s dim sum and drinks, courtesy of Pernod Ricard. Places are limited to 100 and can be booked via admin@aptra.asia on a first-come, first-served basis.
The event is open to all APTRA members and the wider travel retail industry.
Note: Smile Train has been among The Moodie Davitt Report’s preferred charities since 2007, helping raise more than US$2.5 million for the organisation over the past 15 years through various events. These included the Smile Raising Charity Dinner held in May last year where over US$200,000 was raised.✈
