Cruise liner hosts charity lunch

In addition, a guest has offered a new rent free house, worth over R150 000 a year, as accommodation for the establishment of a second home in Cape Town. The offer realises a major step towards achieving the Foundation's long-term goal of establishing four homes in the city and a network of similar homes around the country.

Tickets sold out weeks in advance

Stefano Vigoriti, MD of MSC Cruises South Africa thanked guests for wholeheartedly supporting the initiative, which marked the start of the summer cruise season in Southern Africa. Tickets for the onboard fund-raising event, a first for MSC Cruises locally, were sold out weeks in advance.

"We are proud to announce that we will host a second fund-raising function in aid of Building Blocks when MSC Sinfonia returns for her third season in November 2011," said Vigoriti.

Speaking from Geneva, Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises said he was delighted to hear of the success of the event particularly as it concerned the future of children who were the building blocks of all nations. "As a family run business, we care about the welfare of children and as responsible market leaders we believe in making a positive impact in the regions in which we operate. We recently forged a partnership with UNICEF and are proud to be involved with what Building Blocks is achieving in South Africa," he said.