Cover Gus Lee and Joyce Tam at the Mother's Choice gala on May 9 (Photo: courtesy of Mother's Choice)
Gus Lee and Joyce Tam at the Mother's Choice gala on May 9 (Photo: courtesy of Mother's Choice)
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Tatler was an exclusive media partner of the Mother’s Choice 2026 fundraising gala
The eve of Mother’s Day was a fitting date to assemble a room full of people determined to change the lives of Hong Kong’s most vulnerable children. On May 9, some 400 guests gathered at the JW Marriott Hotel for the annual Mother’s Choice fundraising gala, for which Tatler was an exclusive media partner—and the energy was electric.
This year’s theme, Connecting the Dots: Lifelong Relationships, Lasting Change, spoke to the very heart of what Mother’s Choice does: the patient, profound work of building human bonds that can transform—and save—young lives. The dress code was colourful, and Hong Kong’s most stylish philanthropists filled the grand ballroom with a spectrum of vibrant hues.
The evening brought together supporters and community leaders. Mother’s Choice advisory council member Rosanna Wong and CEO Sky Siu made impassioned speeches. Former CEO Alia Eyres, whose family co-founded the organisation, was also in attendance, as were familiar faces from Hong Kong’s philanthropic community, including Dervla Louli, Cinda McLelland Reynolds and Christy Liang. Perhaps most inspirational was the presence of co-chairman Andrew Gardener, who took to the stage and explained how his family has been shaped by Mother’s Choice. His parents adopted his younger brother James from Mother’s Choice in 1999, and he met his wife while they were both volunteers at Mother’s Choice’s Child Care Home. In 2012, they adopted their daughter from the charity.
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Sjoerd Leenart, Marc Desmidt, Iqbal Khan, Sebastian Paredes, Tim Wannenmacher and Dario Pong
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The live auction was cause for much excitement. Jewellery designer Melinda Zeman, of fine jewellery brand Boochier, donated a pair of her earrings, adding a sparkling dimension to the proceedings, while sports fans were captivated by a jersey signed by NBA icon Steph Curry—a lot that sent paddles flying into the air. All proceeds went toward the evening’s fundraising goal of HK$25 million—which the organisation exceeded—in support of the children, young mothers and families across the city that Mother’s Choice serves every day.
Since its founding in 1987, Mother’s Choice has demonstrated unwavering commitment to Hong Kong's most at-risk children and young mothers, providing critical care, support and pathways to securing loving, permanent families. In the last year, the organisation has cared for more than 160 children and supported 600 girls in crisis pregnancy. If the 2026 gala was anything to go by, Hong Kong’s appetite for that work—and its willingness to fund it—shows absolutely no signs of fading.
Credits
Photography: Courtesy of Mother's Choice
As Content Director at Tatler Hong Kong, Tara shapes the brand's editorial vision across social, digital and print. She also drives the planning and execution of Tatler's flagship IPs. In her dual role as Head of VIP, she reports on Asia's most influential figures — from CEOs and leaders across business, style and the arts — curates star-studded events, and builds the relationships and communities that define the brand. Born and raised in the Middle East, she honed her craft in Dubai, crafting communication strategies for luxury brands across the Gulf. Follow her on Instagram @tarasobti.
