Cover Christy Liang attends the Kids4Kids Gala on March 1 (Photo: Courtesy of Anna Koustas)

On March 1, the Kids4Kids charity gala was hosted at the JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong

On March 1, the Kids4Kids charity gala was hosted at the JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong. Themed A Futuristic Odyssey, the event drew over 300 guests, including notable figures such as Ariel Shtarkman Ghitis and Christy Liang. The dress code, which was fittingly “futuristic or glittery”, set the tone for a stylish, memorable evening.

Kids4Kids, founded in Hong Kong in 2010, is dedicated to fostering social responsibility and action among children. The charity focuses on serving underprivileged communities, promoting equal opportunity and inclusivity. Its mission is to empower young people to develop social responsibility, take positive action and inspire others to make a difference.

The evening kicked off with a bang as comedian Vivek Mahbubani put Rosé and Bruno Mars’ hit Apt on the speakers which got the crowd on their feet.

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Photo 1 of 15 Vivien Chan, Grace Southergill, Michelle Ip Hui, Ariel Shtarkman Ghitis, Michele Lai, Mae Loh, Shirley Kuan and Valerie Yeung (Photo: Courtesy of Anna Koustas)
Photo 2 of 15 Inside the ballroom at the JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong (Photo: Courtesy of Anna Koustas)
Photo 3 of 15 The Savoury Project got the party going with their delicious cocktails (Photo: Courtesy of Anna Koustas)
Photo 4 of 15 Océane Lao and Hanysha Jagtiani (Photo: Courtesy of Anna Koustas)
Photo 5 of 15 Grace and Bryan Southergill (Photo: Courtesy of Anna Koustas)
Photo 6 of 15 Sally Chu and Daniel Chun (Photo: Courtesy of Anna Koustas)
Photo 7 of 15 Christy Liang (Photo: Courtesy of Anna Koustas)
Photo 8 of 15 Inside the ballroom at the JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong (Photo: Courtesy of Anna Koustas)
Photo 9 of 15 Michele Lai, founder of Kids4Kids (Photo: Courtesy of Anna Koustas)
Photo 10 of 15 Vivek Mahbubani (Photo: Courtesy of Anna Koustas)
Photo 11 of 15 The Ren Zhe piece that started a bidding frenzy (Photo: Courtesy of Anna Koustas)
Photo 12 of 15 Justine Campbell and Sean Cortis (Photo: Courtesy of Anna Koustas)
Photo 13 of 15 Libby Vaughan (Photo: Courtesy of Anna Koustas)
Photo 14 of 15 Douglas Young, Ben Lau and Kyran Sze (Photo: Courtesy of Anna Koustas)
Photo 15 of 15 Ariel Shtarkman Ghitis and children (Photo: Courtesy of Anna Koustas)

Between dinner courses, a live auction and pledging session took place, raising an impressive HK$2.66 million. A particularly spirited bidding war, for a sculpture by the Beijing-based artist Ren Zhe, saw two bidders go head-to-head, while other items up for auction included a luxurious stay in Niseko and a two-hour Zoom call with Simon Squibb, the author of the best-selling 2025 book What's Your Dream?, which helps people achieve their dreams and start their own business.

The highlight of the evening saw youngsters who benefited from the Kids4Kids programme share their journeys on stage. Their stories of how the charity helped them become better leaders and build confidence brought rounds of applause. Michele Lai, the founder of Kids4Kids, also took the stage to express her gratitude to donors for their support.

The event not only raised funds for great causes but also served as a reminder of the power of community and the impact that young people can bring. 

Credits

Photography: Courtesy of Anna Koustas
Tara Sobti
Content Director & Head of VIP, Tatler Hong Kong
Tatler Asia

As Content Director at Tatler Hong Kong, Tara shapes the brand's editorial vision across social, digital and print, and reports on Asia's most influential figures — from CEOs and leaders across business, style and the arts. In her dual role as Head of VIP, she also drives the planning and execution of Tatler's flagship IPs, curating star-studded events and building 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.