The Financial Times has launched its 2012/2013 Seasonal Appeal with an exclusive photography auction, raising nearly £170,000 for this year’s charity partner, the Global Fund for Children (GFC). Global Fund for Children aims to transform the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children.

The event, held on 15 November at Shakespeare’s Globe in London, was hosted by Adrian Biddell of Sotheby’s and contained works from notable artists including Cecil Beaton, Jane Bown and Stuart Franklin. Event highlights included Slim Aarons’ 1961 Penthouse Pool donated by Getty Images Gallery and Chris Smith’s Ali versus the Beatles. The lots can be viewed here.

The money raised at the auction was matched by the Pearson Foundation, a nonprofit organisation that aims to make a difference by promoting literacy, learning, and great teaching. Private donors also provided match funding, tripling the amount raised by bidders to reach the total of £170,000.

The appeal continues until January with editorial and photographic coverage of GFC’s work in the FT newspaper and FT.com from 26 November. In addition to the photography auction, lunch with FT editors and columnists, as well as private evenings with sommeliers will be put up for auction in the coming weeks.

Further information and full coverage is available at www.ft.com/appeal.

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