Vivian Chow (left), chairman of the Women's Round Table Trust, presents a cheque of more than 1 million yuan to Yuan Cai, vice director of Shanghai Charity Foundation, at the May Ball. [Shanghai Daily]

More than one million yuan (US$152,000) was raised last Friday at the annual gala charity "May Ball" organized by the Women's Round Table Trust at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Funds were donated to the Shanghai Charity Foundation to help children suffering serious illnesses.

Founded in 2005, the Women's Round Table Trust is run by 20 influential Shanghai-based women, who work without pay and contribute both financially and through other means to help children in need.

In four years, it has become a leading "brand" in Shanghai's social circle. The "May Ball" is the only one of its kind in Shanghai.

More than 4 million yuan was raised at last year's ball, which was held right after the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan Province, to help child quake victims.

The Women's Round Table Trust has also helped 17 children with serious heart problems or leukemia, who faced a dismal prognosis. Most came to Shanghai from other provinces for medical cure. The organization has also financed two 12-bed wards at Shanghai Children's Medical Center.

On Friday, renowned Japanese jazz pianist Makoto Ozone delivered a charity performance at the ball.

Twelve valuable donated items were auctioned, including a made-to-measure suit by Ermenegildo Zegna, a gold pendant by Boucheron, a pair of diamond earrings by trust member/jewelry designer Stephanie Chang, and a necklace by trust member/jewelry store owner Zhu Wenqi.

(Shanghai Daily June 10, 2009)