On World AIDS Day this year, Elton John and David Furnish welcomed a host of fellow philanthropists and special guests, including Lady Gaga, David Walliams, Juergen Teller, James Blunt, will.i.am, Lottie Moss, Craig David, Sophie Ellis Bextor and many more to the Tanks of Tate Modern, London as they hosted a special ‘Radical Eye’ black tie dinner, private view and exclusive after hours’ party to mark World AIDS Day 2016.
The event was kindly sponsored by Bulgari.
The evening began with an intimate private view of the highly lauded exhibition of Modernist photography from the Elton John Collection, ‘The Radical Eye’, before welcoming guests at a drinks reception and 3 course dinner.
The event was hosted by Tania Bryer and guests viewed a short film charting the progress achieved by the global anti-AIDS community over the last year and Elton’s leadership to continue the flow of funds towards the fight.
Elton John said: “I was so thrilled and honoured to see two of my great passions come together in one night: the magic of photography and the humanity of the fight against AIDS. It was a special occasion.”
Mark Dybul, Executive Director of The Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria and Elton John AIDS Foundation trustee also took to the stage, speaking of the critical role the Foundation plays in the global fight against AIDS, both for global advocacy and in the work they fund.
Speaking at the event, Mark said: “The Elton John AIDS Foundation’s contribution to the fight against AIDS is extraordinary, and Elton and David’s advocacy is truly unique.”
The event raised nearly £1 million to support our vital programmes and £80,000 was committed to ‘We the Brave’, a transformational public awareness and de-stigmatisation campaign in South Africa helping LGBT and men who have sex with men. This group is up to 20 times more likely to be infected with HIV.
Following the dinner and private view, the event continued late into the night, with special guest Craig David taking to the decks at the after party to rapturous response. He performed hits including Rewind and Walking Away, alongside TS5 set including Justin Bieber and Whitney Houston tracks.
The world’s first ever global health day, initiated in 1988 – World AIDS Day is held on the 1st December each year to enable worldwide communities to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate those who lost their lives to the worldwide pandemic.
