Miss World 2007 Zilin Zhang

2007

Zilin Zhang

Chairman of Miss World Organisation Julia Morley at the Red Cross Charity Auction Zhang Zilin signing the Red Cross Charity Event wall Nelson Mandela delivers his message at the Miss World 2007 Final With Nuestra Belleza Mundo 2006 and 2007 Zhang Zilin lights a candle at the memorial At the 2008 Variety Telethon Zilin plays with children Zilin presents toys to a child injured by the earthquake Miss World 2007 Zhang Zilin and Julia Morley accept the donation for China Miss World Zhang Zilin visits families in Vietnam

Message from Julia Morley Beauty with a Purpose 2007 joined forces with the Red Cross China to assist in raising funds to build healthcare centres across China and its ethnic areas. In co-operation with CCTV in a star studded Gala evening in which our contestants performed traditional dances and also brought gifts from each country for auction. It was a truly memorable evening realizing an astonishing $5.5 million USD. We also had the great privilege of seeing some of the valuable work the Red Cross do across China. Also the Miss World Organisation were able to show the top 5 nominees for the countries who have excelled most for 'Beauty with a Purpose'. The five nominees are: Hong Kong China, Ecuador, Jamaica, Indonesia and Sweden. Many special congratulations for a great co-operation with China Red Cross and special thanks to Madam Jiang Yi-Man - Vice Executive Chief of the China Red Cross. The 57th Miss World Final was held in Sanya, China on 1st December 2007, World AIDS Day. Former South African President Nelson Mandela sent the following message: Good day to all in Sanya and across China. We are deeply concerned about the devastating HIV/AIDS epidemic. And it is our dearest wish that people across the globe will help to get rid of the stigma that surrounds this tragic disease. In doing so, we will assist those living with HIV/AIDS. To realise their hopes and dreams for a longer life and a brighter future. It is in our hands. Miss World 2007 Zilin Zhang embarked on a record-breaking year of fundraising, travelling around the world bringing Beauty with a Purpose to those in greatest need: Mexico Coronation Ball Zilin Zhang was the special guest at the Nuestra Belleza Mexico national final. The theme of the evening was of peace and world happiness against violence, so all attendees were encouraged to wear white. Zilin had a special silver and white dress made for the coronation ball which took place after the final. International AIDS Candlelight Memorial Zilin attended the 25th International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, in Chagunas, Trinidad and Tobago. The theme for the 2008 memorial evening was ‘Never give up, never forget’ and the event was focused on honouring and remembering who had lost their lives to HIV/AIDS, supporting those living with HIV/AIDS and implementing prevention plans to stop the spread of the disease. Variety Iowa Telethon The Variety of Iowa Annual Telethon saw Miss World Zilin Zhang invited as a special guest host during the 23-hour event. Zilin was among a host of celebrities and entertainers who interviewed some of the many volunteers taking calls during the televised event which raised a total of $3,455,854, beating the previous two years' totals. The money raised supports charities across the state of Iowa that care for disadvantaged children. Sichuan Earthquake Relief On May 12 2008, a magnitude 8 earthquake struck the Sichuan region of China. Zilin Zhang joined relief workers helping to deliver supplies to those affected, as well as toys and games for children in towns that had been devastated by the disaster. On 1st June, International Children's Day, Zilin joined Beijing representatives from the China national contest in a visit to Beijing Hospital to meet children injured in the earthquake. The children were very happy to see Miss World and the 2008 contestants, especially, when they were given books and toys! The father of the youngest child, who was just 4 years of age, said he appreciated so much the help from the government and all the hospital staff who were caring for them. As Zilin said "The most important thing is that the children can get better physically and mentally and that we show them how much they are loved". In July, at a ceremony in Vietnam, the RAAS group presented a cheque to the Miss World Organisation for the amount of $50,000 USD for the purpose of building a children's school in the earthquake region in China. Zilin said ‘I am so happy to be able to take back this wonderful gift to support the children of Sichuan'. Julia Morley said ‘This is a wonderful gesture from Mr Kieu Hoang CEO of RAAS group our grateful thanks go to him'. Vietnam Humanitarian Tour Miss World 2007 Zilin Zhang and Mrs Julia Morley in association with RAAS Group travelled to Vietnam to tour the country and present new homes to the homeless, delivering tonnes of rice to families with no food and millions of dollars to support the building of schools and community projects. Over 200 charity houses were presented to families across the country, with further donations of over VND 1.5 billion to medical and educational projects in these provinces. At the final event of the trip, Mr Kieu Hoang presented over VND 3.5 billion (around $206,000) to charity centres in Vietnam.