Stars on display as Global Gift gala hits Marbella

THIS year’s Global Gift gala event took place at the Gran Melia Don Pepe luxury hotel on Sunday, July 17, as a clutch of world stars joined other well-heeled guests at the charity spectacular in Marbella.

Brazilian supermodel and Victoria’s Secret star Alessandra Ambrosio turned the most heads due to the plunging neckline on her pink gown detracting somewhat from her indelible smile, although honorary chairwoman Eva Longoria’s classy blue number also had photographers snapping away madly.

Desperate Housewives actress Longoria’s Eva Longoria Foundation co-sponsored the philanthropic knees-up, at which guests paid upwards of €500 for a five-star meal and entertainment, with the proceeds dished out to various charitable organisations, including UNICEF.

The gala was hosted by British-born TV presenter Belinda Washington alongside Puerto Rican actor Amaury Nolasco, best known for his role as Fernando Sucre on the series ‘Prison Break,’ while co-organiser and ex-squeeze of Antonio Banderas, Maria Bravo, was also prominent.
Earlier in the day, Longoria acted as ambassador of honour as she attended the opening of the new Global Gift house, the first of its kind worldwide, with a host of other names, including disabled Malaga-born singing sensation Adrian Martin, also in attendance.

The house has been designed as a multifunctionary centre for ill and disabled children, and Longoria seemed overjoyed at the result as she said: “It was a great experience, I loved meeting the families who were so happy because there is no other place like this in Marbella or even southern Spain.”