Acclaimed singer, songwriter, campaigner, and activist, Annie Lennox, will host and perform at an exclusive mothers2mothers (m2m) event. Funds raised from the evening will support the charity’s vital work in sub-Saharan Africa to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and create health and hope for mothers, their families, and communities.
The intimate event will launch the 15th Anniversary of mothers2mothers, and is the charity’s third major London fundraiser. It will be held at the stunning venue, One Marylebone. Guests will enjoy a drinks reception followed by a relaxed sit-down dinner, with silent and live auctions featuring a collection of Gibson guitars donated by The Gibson Foundation, and handwritten lyrics by Ed Sheeran, Sting, One Direction’s Liam Payne, and one other critically-acclaimed artist. Supporters of the event include Universal Music UK, MAC Cosmetics, and GUCCI as well as the charity’s 2015 partner NEXT Model Management.
Ms. Lennox, whose internationally-renowned music career and tireless charity work has been widely recognised and honoured, will treat guests to a special, live performance. Joining Ms. Lennox to co-host the event will be acclaimed actor Hugh Bonneville, and Scottish journalist and BBC Newsnight presenter Kirsty Wark. Also speaking at the event will be special guest Nalumu Vivien Juliet, who will be travelling to the United Kingdom from Uganda where she is employed by mothers2mothers as a Mentor Mother. Juliet will share her inspirational story of how she overcame tremendous challenges after testing HIV positive while pregnant, and is now helping other HIV-positive mothers in similar situations find the strength to access treatment critical to protecting their babies from HIV infection and keeping themselves healthy.
Confirmed guests include, Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, Livia Firth, Simon Fuller, David Gandy, Jack Guinness, Jodie Kidd, Mollie King, Leah Wood, and Will Young.
Speaking of her longstanding involvement in the event and charity, Ms. Lennox remarked, “It is an absolute honour and privilege to be able to contribute to the lifesaving work of mothers2mothers that has transformed the lives of more than 1.3 million HIV positive women across nine countries in sub-Saharan Africa. With their visionary and innovative Mentor Mother Model, their methodology has become the gold standard for the education and support of mothers living with HIV. With one in three pregnant women living with HIV in Southern Africa, their work is still absolutely imperative.”
The evening’s co-host Hugh Bonneville commented, “mothers2mothers’ simple, innovative approach means that the goal of ending paediatric AIDS in this generation is within reach. I am delighted to be a part of this special evening celebrating 15 years of mothers2mothers and to support the charity as it expands its vitally important work, seeking to create a generation of children free from HIV and reaching more mothers in order to educate and empower them.”
As one of the evening’s supporters, David Joseph, Universal Music UK Chairman and CEO added, “Fifteen years ago mothers2mothers recognised African mothers living with HIV as the greatest resource available to ending paediatric AIDS. Their work is making a huge difference and I am delighted that Universal Music is supporting this event hosted by Annie Lennox.”