Al Jalila Foundation Raises AED50M for The Child Fund at Charity Suhoor

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

Under the patronage and presence of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, The Child Fund by Al Jalila Foundation successfully raised AED 50 million during a charity Suhoor event, marking the largest donor-led fundraiser since the foundation was established in 2013. The event, themed ‘An Evening of Hope’, was held at One&Only One Zabeel and brought together business leaders, philanthropists, and prominent figures dedicated to supporting children's healthcare.

The Al Jalila Foundation, which is the philanthropic arm of Dubai Health, hosted the event to expand the reach of The Child Fund, which provides life-saving treatments, medical research, and specialised care programmes for children in need. The overwhelming generosity shown during the evening reflected the UAE's enduring spirit of compassion and community.

A Night of Generosity and Unity
The charity Suhoor was personally hosted by Majid Jafar, CEO of Crescent Petroleum and Vice Chairman of Crescent Group, along with his wife Lynn Barghout Jafar. Their commitment and passion for children's healthcare played a key role in making the event a success.

The gathering was attended by many notable figures, including:

Her Excellency Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg, member of the Dubai Health Board of Directors and Chair of Al Jalila Foundation Board of Directors

Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health

Dr. Amer Al Zarooni, CEO of Al Jalila Foundation

Dr. Abdulla Al Khayat, CEO of Al Jalila Children’s Hospital

Leading business leaders and philanthropists

The Hope Paddle Raise – A Moving Highlight
One of the most inspiring moments of the night was the Hope Paddle Raise, led by well-known presenter Tom Urquhart. During this segment, guests had the chance to directly fund patient care programmes and transformational projects aimed at improving children's health.

To kick off the paddle raise, the event hosts, along with Innovo Group and Apparel Group, made a remarkable pledge. They promised to match the first AED 20 million raised, setting a powerful tone for the evening and encouraging others to give generously.

Leadership Praises UAE’s Compassionate Spirit
Speaking at the event, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum praised the UAE community for its generosity. He highlighted the importance of such philanthropic efforts in ensuring that no child is denied medical care due to financial constraints.

“The UAE has always led with compassion, and tonight’s remarkable generosity exemplifies our nation’s unwavering commitment to ensuring every child receives the care they need. We are proud to witness this extraordinary act of philanthropy, especially in a year dedicated to fostering community spirit for the greater good,” he said.

A Heartfelt Thank You from the Hosts
Majid and Lynn Jafar expressed their gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum for gracing the event and to all the donors for their support.

“It has been deeply moving to see our friends and community come together to make a lasting difference in the lives of children. The success of this evening is a testament to the power of collective giving in the Year of Community. We are honored to support The Child Fund’s mission to bring hope to even more children and their families, creating a future filled with possibilities,” the couple shared.

Philanthropy Transforming Lives
Dr. Raja Easa Al Gurg highlighted the life-changing impact of Al Jalila Foundation’s patient care programmes, noting that the generosity of donors would help thousands more children receive the medical treatment they deserve.

“We are grateful for Majid and Lynn’s incredible generosity. This record-breaking achievement reflects the kindness of our community and the shared belief that every child deserves access to life-saving medical care. The Child Fund has already helped thousands of children, and with the funds raised tonight, it will help many more, giving them hope for a brighter future. This perfectly embodies the spirit of Ramadan in this Year of Community,” she said.

Impactful Contributions
Among the major contributors to the evening were:

• Innovo Group
• Apparel Group
• Omniyat
• UPL
• Downtown Ventures
• Several anonymous donors

A Brighter Future for Children's Healthcare
The record-breaking success of this fundraiser reinforces Al Jalila Foundation’s mission to ensure that every child, no matter their circumstances, has access to world-class healthcare at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, the only dedicated children’s hospital in the UAE.

Thanks to the generosity of the donors, The Child Fund will be able to expand its reach, offering life-saving treatments, supporting groundbreaking medical research, and funding specialised care programmes. This event stands as a shining example of the UAE's commitment to making a lasting difference in the lives of children and building a healthier, brighter future.