RASHID Paediatric Therapy Centre raised nearly Dhs300,000 through an auction of paintings and artwork made by special needs children from the Academy of Arts and Social Rehabilitation of the Young Generation, Russia, and students at the Rashid Centre.The auction and the exhibition was organised by the Consulate General of Russia in Dubai and Northern Emirates and the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre under the patronge of Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The event, charity dinner, exhibtion and auction was held at the Meydan Hotel Dubai and witnessed the presence of Dr Hanif Hassan, Minister of Health, Sheikh Juma Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum, managing director of Rashid Centre, and Ahmed Hashim Khoury, founder of the Rashid Centre in addition to a number of other dignitaries.Khoury noted that this auction proves the talent of these children, who, in spite of their different types of physical and mental disabilities, have demonstrated their ability to flourish in an environment of care and attention. These children provide us with a lesson in international relations and in understanding human communication, away from extremism and exaggeration and geography. Theirs is a global and and international responsibility for the global community to fulfill its responsibilities towards them, through the protection, conservation and acquisitions, and maintenance of their rights, he added.The artwork including paintings of beautiful landscapes and countrysides, while the handmade works included portraits made of metal and word, some of which were engraved.The Russian artists, whose work was put on display, included Aleksandr Danilov, Andrey Vidrenko, Ekaterina Bibikova, Dmitry Kochetov, Marina Ivanko and Mihail Manukian. The Rashid Centres children who took part in the auction were Kawkab Mohsen, Maheek, Ziaulhak, Mohamed Saad, Mohamed Sahl, Eyad Mohamed, Fares Ahmed and Ahmed Al-Shaikh.The Consul General of the Russian Federation in Dubai and Northern Emirates also expressed his gratitude and emphasised the deep relationship between the two countries, and stressed that this event and the charity dinner will be the beginning of a long journey for the two nations, including people and children with special needs in the Russian Federation and the UAE. The event began with the national anthem of both the countries on the arrival of the guests, who toured the exhibition hall and talked to the children artists. Prior to the auction, Maryam Othman, director of Rashid Centre accompanied the guests to tour the exhibition hall, where the artists explained their artwork.During the auction ceremony, Sheikh Juma and the Russain Consul General honoured a group of dignitaries with certificates and awards to recognise their support. The guests also awarded gifts and certificates for the children.Sponsored by : RUS Aviation

Source: THE GULF TODAY