Disadvantaged children and young people can be found in Switzerland, just as the rest of the world. Laureus therefore works on social sports projects to provide more opportunities to these young people and to carry out prevention work. “I am delighted at the amount donated this year. This is the most rewarding proof that the work done by the Laureus Foundation Switzerland is viewed as meaningful and is widely supported,” explains Linus Fuchs, Managing Director of IWC Schaffhausen Switzerland and member of the Laureus Foundation Switzerland’s Board of Trustees.

Many VIPs among guests

The Laureus Charity Night was hosted by the well-known Swiss sports presenter Rainer Maria Salzgeber and his daughter Cloé. Legendary boxing announcer Michael Buffer appeared as a co-presenter, repeatedly quoting his catchphrase, “Let’s get ready to rumble”. Among the many guests to grace the red carpet were triathlete and Ironman winner Ronnie Schildknecht, President of the National Council and of Swiss Olympic Jürg Stahl, Laureus Ambassadors Jan Frodeno and David Coulthard, as well as the new CEO of Laureus, Jonathan Hill. Athletics legend Edwin Moses, retired Swiss racing cyclist Fabian Cancellara and ex-footballer Cafu – all members of the Laureus World Sports Academy – were also in attendance. On stage, the supporting programme was provided by Swiss singer Baschi, who appeared alongside Laureus Kids and the Swiss band Pegasus. The evening ended with Christian Stucki, winner of this year’s “Unspunnen Schwinget”, presenting the Laureus Foundation Switzerland with a cheque of CHF 2,935,927.

The auction of the Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph Edition “Laureus Sport for Good Foundation” (Ref. IW394004) helped in raising such a substantial amount. With its tourbillon, retrograde date display and chronograph featuring a flyback function, the IWC-manufactured calibre 89900 brings together no fewer than three complications on the blue dial of this exclusive Portugieser watch. The pallet and escape wheel are made from diamond-coated silicon. The extremely hard, low-friction surface of the latter material ensures its sliding properties, allowing for a power reserve of 68 hours. The unique piece with a platinum case went to the highest bidder for CHF 200,000.

Sport has the power to change a life

The Laureus Foundation Switzerland was established by IWC Schaffhausen and Mercedes-Benz Switzerland in 2006 as an offshoot of the international Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. The aim of the Laureus Foundation Switzerland is to continuously improve the lives of as many children in Switzerland as possible. Its main focus is not on achievement, but rather centres on enjoying exercise and shared activities. Laureus supports more than 10,000 children in Switzerland by way of four charitable sports projects per year. The Laureus Charity Night is the foundation’s most important fundraising event and has been held every autumn since 2007.