There is no better place or time for hoteliers to go on a shopping spree than at the new Voglia showroom opposite Sunset Mall, Jumeirah Beach Road, in Dubai TODAY Thursday June 15 or tomorrow Friday June16 when all profits from product sales will be donated to the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation (CNCF).

Hotelier Middle East is reporting live from the high-end furniture store keeping a running tab on what has been bought - from bedding and tableware to artwork and other furnishings - and the most generous hoteliers. 

The charitable initiative by the hospitality supplier is in support of a wider effort to raise US $50,000 (around AED 180,000) for CNCF to run the kindergarten 'Sunshine School' for two hundred disadvantaged children in Vietnam.

Story continues below
Advertisement


The initiative is being spearheaded by Hotelier Middle East's publishing director Diarmuid O'Malley and his running partner Neil Munro - together known as team 'Arctic Xtreme' - who have committed to running 42km through snow and ice in the gruelling Polar Circle Marathon in October 2012.

10am: The doors have only just opened and the first sale has already been made by Diarmuid's kind wife Claire and her father Kieran generating AED 500 profit to go straight to the Sunshine School funds.

11am:  A most generous donation from Milk and Honey Gourmet Grocers - they've donated a staggering AED 10,000 direct to the cause.

Milk and Honey's Shadi Joweihan commented: "Its great to see what what Diarmuid and Neil are getting up to. There's nothing like being crazy for a good cause".

Shadi said they would also be happy to support the adventurous duo with energy bars and other sugar-filled goodies on their travels.

And it sounds like Diarmuid and Neil will need all the energy and motivation they can muster. The Polar Circle Marathon, often referred to as 'the coolest marathon on earth', is more challenging than its deceptively simple description. It takes place in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland where temperatures routinely drop to between -10 and -20ºC in October.

Did you know one of the best ways to MOTIVATE is to DONATE! Come on hoteliers and restaurateurs... can you match Milk and Honey's donation? If you can't make it down to the store today you can donate to the cause directly by clicking here.

1130: NEWS IN - Arctic Xtreme has almost reached 50% of its US $50,000 target! Let's help them make it to 100%.

You can also follow Arctic Xtreme and HotelierME on Facebook for live pictures and updates from the sale. 

12pm: Voglia's Jakob is down at the showroom and helping us keep tabs on sales... he's just texted in to say so far AED 876 profit has been generated from sales. Every dirham brings us closer to the target. 

1pm: Total raised so far is AED 11,963

2pm: Total is creeping up - it currently stands at AED 12,241 reports Jakob

5pm: Just had an update from the team at Voglia, we've got AED 12,650 in the pot so far...

If you haven't made it down to the Voglia showroom today don't fret, you still have tomorrow! 

The Voglia showroom is located in Villa 4, 465 Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 3, Dubai and the second day of the charity sale will kick off at 10am. 

We hope to see you there!