Her extensive contribution to charitable causes was recently honoured at a glittering international gala, but Cathy Lee generally eschews the limelight. The philanthropist talks to Marianna Cerini about the important things in life
‘‘I'm only going to take seven minutes of your time,” Cathy Lee said as she took to the stage at Shaw Studios. “But let’s be clear: this isn’t for me. This is for all the people who suffer from the condition and live with it every day. Please help me to celebrate some of them here tonight,” the former model continued as she welcomed 14 people onto the stage.
The occasion was the annual amfAR gala dinner, the condition was HIV/Aids and her companions were people living with it. The reason Cathy, generally reclusive when it comes to such events, was at the international fundraiser for Aids research was to be honoured before some of the biggest names in entertainment, fashion, art and advocacy for her extensive contribution to the fight against Aids and the stigma that so often goes with it.
See also: The amfAR Gala 2018 event photos
When we meet at the Four Seasons a few days before the star-studded event, where the entertainment included performances by Kylie Minogue and Tove Lo, Cathy looks beautiful and relaxed in an oversize cardigan and casual trousers. “My uniform,” she says, with her youngest son by her side. “I like to keep things simple. Being a mum, I don’t have much time to think about what I’m going to wear. There are more important things.”
An active ambassador
Philanthropy is most certainly one of them. Over the past decade, Cathy has been at the forefront of numerous non-governmental organisations in the city, from Summerbridge Hong Kong, an educational venture that works to improve the English skills of underprivileged children, to the Chi Heng Foundation, for which she is a goodwill ambassador.
The Hong Kong-based foundation, one of the oldest children’s charities in China, focuses on youth affected by Aids and on Aids prevention campaigns across the nation. It was for her work with the Chi Heng Foundation that Cathy was to be honoured at the amfAR gala.
“It’s thrilling, really,” she says when I ask how she feels about the public recognition of her contribution. “I really admire amfAR, but I’m also so humbled to be shining some light on the work the foundation has been doing. It’s our 20th anniversary this year, which makes it all the more meaningful. I’ve always been drawn to this particular cause. Even more so over the years as people have kept telling me to join less ‘risky’ philanthropic efforts. Reactions like that have only made me more aware of how important organisations like Chi Heng are—how essential it is to fight the misconceptions and stigma that still surround Aids.”
See also: Flashes of Brilliance with Cathy Lee