Online Casino Assists Aids & HIV Charity

Published: Friday, July 08, 2005 Online-Casinos.com

ONLINE CASINO ASSISTS AIDS/HIV CHARITY

Unique Versace MINI bought on eBay by Crystal Palace

Counter measures for the AIDS/HIV pandemic will receive a boost to finances of Euros 120 150 soon following a charity auction in which a Versace-inspired MINI Cabriolet was put up for auction on eBay.

Crystal Palace Casino.com paid a record 120,150 Euros (US$145,000) this week for the vehicle, breaking all previous bidding records at online auction site Ebay.

Fierce bidding for the MINI, which started at 1 Euro, reached the winning bid within 40 hours of Ebay opening the auction. The unique Versace design and the fact that all proceeds are destined HIV/AIDS charities, combined to generate huge worldwide interest in the event.

Life Ball, one of Europe's leading HIV/AIDS fundraisers, organised the online auction in conjunction with MINI, which has been supporting the charity for the past five years.

Leading Italian fashion house Versace, under the guidance of its chief-designer Donatella Versace, designed the convertible in its signature black and yellow "baroque" print. Other unique features of the car include a Swarovski crystal Medusa gearshift and leather seats embossed with the Versace logo.

Life Ball hosts one of Europe's largest annual charity events. The venue for this year's ball, held in May, was Vienna, Austria. All funds raised by Life Ball go to AIDS Life and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

According to the general manager of the online casino, Tony Cruise, Crystal Palace is dedicated to assisting various charitable organisations as part of an ongoing commitment to give something back to the community wherever possible.

"Over the years we have donated substantial amounts to many charities, particularly those demonstrating a commitment to either medical research or those assisting people suffering from serious medical conditions. This year we felt that contributing to the fight against AIDS was especially important given the huge numbers of people across the world who suffer from this debilitating disease" Cruise said.

Cruise revealed that his company is considering making a donation of the unique Versace vehicle to another charitable organisation in order to raise even further funds for much-needed medical research purposes.