International celebs flocked to Abu Dhabi during the weekend to celebrate the city’s first ever Grand Prix and raise more than Dhs1.5 million for charity.

Guests on the night included Oscar winners Jeremy Irons and Marisa Tomei, Scream star Neve Campbell, Janet and Latoya Jackson, Kimberley ‘daughter of Rod’ Stewart and tennis veteran Vijay Amritraj.

The glamorous crowd was treated to performances by Latino legends The Gipsy Kings with operatic tenor Jean Luc Viala, plus rising UK crooner Peter Grant.

Money was raised for charity fresh2o, which helps provide clean drinking water to those in need, with a bumper auction which included items such a one-of-a-kind 1939 Cadillac LaSalle, which fetched Dhs350,000 – the largest single bid of the night.

Two bidders also tied on Dhs125,000 apiece for the chance to go backstage at a Janet Jackson concert and meet the star, while one lucky guest took home an all-expenses paid trip to the Virgin Galactic Space Ship launch in Palo Alto, California.

Other top bids on the night included:

·         Dhs85,000 for a private round of golf with five-time Major winner, Sir Nick Faldo.

·         Dhs110,000 for a private meet and greet with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, which includes a tour of the Old Trafford training grounds, match day hospitality and a signed shirt from the entire 2009-10 squad.

·         Dhs125,000 for the Platinum Vision home theatre system, which is used by the likes of David Beckham and Robbie Williams.

·         Dhs35,000 for an exclusive shoot with Candice Farmer, the Oscar-winning photographer and founder of fresh2o

·         Dhs90,000 for two Water for Life campaign photographs signed by the artists, Candice and Kimberly Stewart.

·         Dhs120,000 donated by guests to help build wells for communities for life

adam@khaleejtimes.com