MasterCard Priceless Moments bids to raise over US$5m for seven children's charities through charity auction

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The charities that will benefit from the MasterCard Priceless Moments initiative are: the Walter Sisulu Paediatric Cardiac Centre for Africa (WSPCCA), the Childhood Cancer Foundation (CHOC), the Reach For A Dream Foundation, Cotlands, the South African Red Cross Society, the Ithemba Trust and the St. Mary's Aids Hospital in KwaZulu Natal.

Together these charities face enormous financial challenges every day to provide for approximately half a million children collectively.

The initiative was borne out of a visit to the WSPCCA in Johannesburg in 2006, by two former state presidents - Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela. Moved by what he saw at the Centre, President Clinton donated US$30 000 to help two children receive life-saving heart surgery. Not to be outdone, Mandela joined Mrs. Albertina Sisulu, widow of Mandela's late friend and mentor Walter Sisulu, in offering up their time to be auctioned off to raise funds for the Centre.

'Our children are our future and one of our most basic responsibilities is to care for them in the best and most compassionate manner possible' said Nelson Mandela, in his position as patron of the WSPCCA, on the occasion of its official opening. 'The kind of society for which Walter Sisulu struggled and gave his whole life to, is one in which none of us will stand by and see the suffering of children without attempting to aid and assist them.'

What started out as a small seed of an idea to help a handful of children, has now turned into one of the largest charity drives of its kind globally, that will see seven children's charities benefiting from a fund raising target of US$5m.

'MasterCard is honored to support this initiative that touches the lives of so many,' said Eddie Grobler, General Manager Africa, MasterCard Worldwide. 'The MasterCard Priceless Moments charity auction is a great opportunity for international celebrities and people from around the world to come together and make a positive contribution to the wellbeing of underprivileged children in Africa, while at the same time securing treasured, priceless memories for themselves.'

The full list of international celebrity priceless moments to be auctioned off will be announced on the 7th May, and already includes some of the world's most famous movie, sports, music, and business personalities.

The auction will go live on the 14th May 2007 at a gala event with the Grammy award-winning Soweto Gospel Choir, held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, where individuals and businesses will have the first opportunity to bid on the celebrity priceless moments of their choice.

The auction will then commence on eBay - the world's largest online auction website - for ten days, giving anyone worldwide the ability to bid. The auction will conclude on the 24th May 2007. Donations can also be made directly to the initiative through the eBay website.

Not everyone can talk about the afternoon spent having tea with Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu, yet here's the opportunity to do just that, and for a really good cause!