Young people and solidarity take centre stage at the 6th Paris Saint-Germain–Children first gala

The traditional auction organized by Artcurial, partner of the Paris Saint-Germain Foundation, raised 1,268 million euros, which will be used to finance the Paris Saint-Germain Foundation and Endowment Fund’s actions that help young people worldwide.

On Tuesday 22nd May 2019, Paris Saint-Germain–Children First held its 6th annual gala dinner in the Pavillon Cambon Capucines, in the heart of Paris. The last event of the season, this dinner brought together Nasser Al-Khelaifi, Chairman of the Paris Saint-Germain Foundation and Endowment Fund, the first team players, player Marie-Antoinette Katoto, judoka Teddy Riner and more than 350 guests.

The ceremony was an opportunity for Sabrina Delannoy, deputy director of the Paris Saint-Germain Foundation, to sum up the actions carried out by the Club in the aid of children this year, and to thank all of the partners and educators that work alongside her every day.

One of the most noteworthy events this year was the presentation of the Club’s new commitment to Action Contre La Faim in the shape of a program to fight malnutrition in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic. More than 4,000 children suffering from severe malnutrition have been treated thanks to the human and financial contributions from Paris Saint-Germain–Children First.

Paris Saint-Germain–Children First has also stepped up its partnership with the Necker Hospital for Sick Children. In addition to the traditional visits paid to young patients by the Club’s athletes, a project to renovate one of the pediatric recovery rooms in the operating theatre has taken shape. The long-running agreement between the two parties will be developed further next season with the opening of a new Rouge & Bleu School within the Parisian hospital.

The high point of the evening was the auction organised by Artcurial which raised the outstanding sum of 1,268 million euros. The money raised will enable Paris Saint-Germain–Children First to continue and increase their commitment to children in France and abroad. Among the 14 lots put up for auction were a Wild Kong by Richard Orlinski wearing a black Jordan shirt, a Foot US version of the Paris Saint-Germain shirt signed by Neymar Jr, a unique piece by Patrick Rubinstein created in honor of Kylian Mbappé, and an extraordinary experience for 30 people behind the scenes at the Parc des Princes.

Thirty-five children from the Rouge & Bleu Schools in Paris and Mantes-la-Jolie, and from the “Allez les filles” program, attended this dinner. They were accompanied by the eighteen Foundation-trained educators who work daily on the 360 or so operations put in place each year.

A number of famous faces also took up Paris Saint-Germain–Children First’s invitation, such as: Ary Abittan, Frédéric Chau, Youri Djorkaeff, Franck Dubosc, Gad Elmaleh, Tony Estanguet, Cyril Hanouna, Kheiron, Marine Lorphelin, Ophélie Meunier, Richard Orlinski, Pedro Miguel Pauleta and Harry Roselmack. 

Download the pictures

Download the video CANDLE

Download the video Africa

Download the video of the Gala

About Paris Saint-Germain – Children First:

The Paris Saint-Germain Foundation was founded in 2000 and was the first corporate foundation to be created by a French sports club. It provides support for vulnerable or sick children, young people and disadvantaged communities. When Nasser Al Khelaifi took over as president of the Foundation in 2012, he enabled it to step up its work and an endowment fund was created to receive donations. 
Over the last 19 years, more than 220,000 children and young adults have benefitted from the programs set up by the Foundation and/or the Paris Saint-Germain endowment fund.

Today, the endowment fund and the Foundation have been brought together under one name, Children First.

Children First runs educational and sporting programs in France and abroad, using sport and its values to help youngsters to learn, blossom and become upstanding members of the community. Thanks to its programs that accompany young people in their social and professional integration, its ROUGE & BLEU Schools, its support of refugees and its charitable donations, Children First uses the educational and psychological benefits of sport to help sick and disadvantaged children.