DUBAI, 21 October 2007 — A jersey put on by Sheikh Muhammad ibn Rashid Al Maktoum, vice-president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, during the world endurance championship in Spain in 2002 was sold for $4.35 million (AED16 million) at an auction on Thursday night to raise funds for a children’s education charity.

Sama Dubai paid the money for the jersey in support of the Dubai Cares campaign.

In all, the 12 items donated by prominent figures in the country netted $8.44 million. A painting by Sheikh Muhammad’s daughter, Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed ibn Rashid Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Women’s Establishment and Dubai Cares ambassador, brought $950,000 at the auction, conducted by Christie’s.

Dubai Cares also organized an International Fair and a Walkathon at the Nad Al Sheba racetrack on Friday. Led by Sheikh Muhammad’s daughter Sheikha Maitha bint Muhammad ibn Rashid Al Maktoum, the walkathon attracted more than 3,000 participants, including families and members of sports, special needs and social clubs.

In addition to AED600,000 raised from registration fees and sales, a donation of AED73,400 by CA Transforming and IT Management will go to the Dubai Cares campaign.

The daylong fair included numerous family attractions such as horse and camel rides, games, prizes, several huge balloon castles, balloon and cotton candy stands and clowns and performers.

Meanwhile, during a meeting with Sheikh Mayed ibn Muhammad ibn Rashid Al Maktoum, Abdul Aziz Al-Ghurair, speaker of the Federal National Council (FNC) announced a total contribution of AED 22 million to the campaign, of which Mashreq’s share amounted to AED 10 million and the joint contribution of Abdullah Al-Ghurair Group of Companies and ETA Star totaled AED 12 million.

“The united effort shown by all nationalities and corporations in the UAE has contributed to the huge success of the campaign,” said Al-Ghurair.

Sheikh Mayed also received an AED 5 million donation from Mohammed Ibrahim Obeid-Allah, a UAE businessman, who praised the campaign and described it as a unique effort that stands as a source of pride for Arab and Muslim nations. The Dubai Cares campaign is Dubai’s contribution to a global drive to help countries achieve their UN Millennium Development Goals of providing primary education to every child by 2015.