Recap of the 6th Event of “Haha! Britain” | Art Meets Philanthropy: A Successful New Year Charity Auction

15 Jan

On the afternoon of 6 December 2025, The Mothers’ Bridge of Love (MBL), together with the UK Chinese Collectors Club, successfully hosted a New Year charity auction at St Martin-in-the-Fields in central London. This sixth event in MBL’s annual cultural programme Haha! Britain centred on the theme “Books, Art and Collecting”. By bringing together the worlds of art, culture and philanthropy, the event opened a meaningful new chapter for the year’s cultural season.

Art Meets Charity: Gathering Real Support for Long-Term Charity Projects

Thanks to the generosity of artists, collectors and community friends, this year’s charity auction raised valuable funds for MBL’s long-term programmes in education, cultural exchange and support for vulnerable children.

The event raised approximately £12,000, all of which will be donated to MBL’s charitable work.

The atmosphere on the day was warm and spirited. Guests enjoyed art, shared their passion for collecting and, through their actions, helped advance MBL’s mission: to connect love across cultures and help every child discover a sense of identity and belonging.

A Cultural Gathering Inside a Historic Landmark

St Martin-in-the-Fields, located on the northeast corner of Trafalgar Square, served as the picturesque venue for this special event. With origins dating back to the 13th century and its 18th-century reconstruction led by architect James Gibbs, the church has influenced ecclesiastical architecture across Britain and the Commonwealth.

Beyond its architectural elegance, St Martin-in-the-Fields is known for its strong musical tradition and longstanding commitment to social engagement. MBL will continue its collaboration with Open House London here, presenting the MBL “Colours of Us” art exhibition to highlight children’s creativity and social participation.

Advancing Cultural Visibility and Cross-Sector Collaboration

As a key cultural initiative of MBL, Haha! Britain promotes the visibility of British Chinese culture through literature, art and interdisciplinary engagement. This New Year charity auction further demonstrated the diversity of Chinese artistic creation and collecting, helping to amplify the presence of Chinese voices on the UK cultural stage.

Art Brings Us Together, Philanthropy Gives Our Gathering Meaning

One guest wrote afterwards:

“I bought a painting I’ve long wanted to collect, saw many dear friends, helped others, and delighted myself. What a perfect day.”

This is precisely the spirit MBL hopes to cultivate: art that connects people and charity that warms the world.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to every donor, participant and friend who has supported MBL. We look forward to continuing this journey with you in the year ahead, building bridges of love for children around the world.