An auction in Dubai has sold off a special-edition Aston Martin created to mark the 50th anniversary of the James Bond movie for Syrian refugees.
It is hoped the sleek vehicle and other items will raise at least US$1 million (Dh3.67m) for those in dire need following the ongoing conflict in Syria.
Mark Goldring, chief executive of Oxfam Great Britain, said the money raised from the Dubai International Film Festival charity event would help Syrian refugees get through the winter.
“It is a really exciting event,” said Mr Goldring, who is in the UAE for the annual fundraising event, One Night to Change Lives.
“If we can raise $1m, it can make a substantial difference. It is a very exciting auction.
“We hope we can use the drama and enthusiasm to support such an important cause. It is going to be a cold and a hostile winter for the Syrian refugees.”
The Aston Martin has a Skyfall silver exterior and an Aurora blue leather interior with quilted, cooled seats.
The seats are embellished with a ‘50 years of 007’ logo on the headrests and 20-spoke, diamond-turned gloss-black wheels.
The car is also has the signatures of Bond star Daniel Craig and producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli engraved on it.
The charity auction, which was held at the Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa, will also include other items used during the filming of Skyfall as well as two tickets to the premiere of the next Bond film in London, along with business-class tickets and a hotel stay, and a visit to the filming location of television series Downton Abbey.
Avengers star Scarlett Johansson, an Oxfam global ambassador, has donated VIP tickets to the premiere of her next film, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and air tickets.
Actors Rooney Mara, Mark Ruffalo and Naomie Harris, the star of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Skyfall, are expected to be at the auction. Bollywood stars Rahul Bose and Arjun Rampal are also due to be there.
Oxfam is partnering with the festival and Dubai Cares for the third consecutive year. The proceeds from the auction are to provide clothing, food, blankets and shelter for displaced Syrian families and children who are currently refugees in Lebanon and Jordan.
Mr Goldring, who is on a four-day trip to the UAE, said: “We are working with 600,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. This auction will enable us to support more people.”
“We have to look at humanitarian solutions. It’s going to be a harsh winter and people are suffering massively,” he said.
Oxfam is working with Dubai Cares in Pakistan to build 19 schools and is also developing programmes to keep girls in schools in the country.
It has partnered with Salam ya Seghar to provide food, education and uniforms to more than 18,000 children.
