“In contributing to the well-being of others, we find more meaning in life,” famed speaker and philanthropist Tony Robbins once said. For interior designer model Gabby Luna, these words could not ring more true; a staunch supporter of London-based charity organization Cauldwell Children, Luna has recently hit her stride in combining two of her favorite things -- helping others and collecting art -- into one, philanthropic-minded pursuit.
After spending some time with Cauldwell Children’s founder, John Cauldwell, and his partner, Modesta Vzesniauskaite, Luna soon became well acquainted with the organization’s ethos and goals, and was further inspired by Modesta’s own dedication to her countless personal philanthropic pursuits. Founded with the hopes of changing the lives of disabled children throughout the United Kingdom by helping fund their medical treatments, Cauldwell Children has brought insurmountable relief to families across the U.K. that previously struggled with mounting medical payments, in addition to helping run clinics and providing therapy, wheelchairs, and develop learning programs for these children and their relatives.
Luna’s commitment to the cause was only bolstered by deep discussions with a key player at Cauldwell Children, Jo-Ann D'Costa-Manuel. Once her son was diagnosed with severe autism, D'Costa-Manuel was forced to uproot her family from Australia and bring them back to the United Kingdom for her son’s treatment -- eventually bankrupting the tight-knit unit, an unfortunately common scenario for family’s caring for disabilities. D'Costa-Manuel’s eventual hands-on involvement with Cauldwell Children not only helped her own child through navigating his autism, but countless others across the country, and her heart-wrenching-turned-feel-good story only encouraged Luna to contribute to the cause more herself.
Recently, Luna has found a new way to get involved with Cauldwell Children in a distinct blend of Luna’s personal passions. Tapping into her experience in interior design and love for collecting artwork, Luna now looks to add to her collection by purchasing on-auction paintings at the charity’s annual Butterfly Ball, with all proceeds going back to the foundation and thus, to aiding children in need.
“Buying art is so much more special when you know the proceeds of the piece you're collecting will help children and establish a better future for the world,” said Luna.
Hopping across the pond from Miami to Monaco to attend the latest iteration of Cauldwell Children’s Butterfly Ball, Luna purchased a one-of-a-kind painting depicting Muhammad Ali meeting The Beatles in Miami, autographed by the prized fighter himself, for a five-figure sum, all while decked out in a stunning gown lent to her especially for the event by Jasmin Erbaş Couture and styled by her close friend Scott Loui.
Though this was Luna’s first Butterfly Ball, the Miami-based interior designer and model has every intention of attending more in the future and subsequently adding to her cause-rooted collection of fine art and putting them on display in her tastefully curated home. In the meantime, her close work with Cauldwell Children has inspired Luna to speak up and stand out, using her own platform to spread awareness and continue helping disabled children throughout the world for the better.
For further information on how to get involved, visit Luna’s Instagram or Cauldwell Children’s website for more.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Gabby Luna
