Angela Cid (on the right), Spanish native, is a global citizen based in Dubai since 2012. She is the co-founder and managing director of KASKADA MANAGEMENT, a UAE-based event management agency that organised the three editions of The Global Gift Gala in Dubai.

The third edition of The Global Gift Gala in Dubai was held at The Four Seasons Hotel on December 12, 2015, during The Dubai International Film Festival, with Honorary Chairwoman Eva Longoria and other international celebrity supporters present at the event.

The Global Gift Gala is a unique international fundraising event held in several cities around the world. The platform brings together the worlds of businesses, celebrities, and philanthropy to raise funds for and awareness of the foundations. As such, it has managed to create a substantial difference in the lives of countless children and adults in need on the global scale. Among this year's beneficiaries were The Dubai Cares Foundation, The Global Gift Foundation, The Eva Longoria Foundation, and The Sunrise'K Foundation.

Please tell us about the organisational works for a Global Gift Gala.

The GGG organisation in Dubai has an experienced and dedicated team supporting each and every area to ensure a successful fundraising event. My partner Joanna Dogmoch and myself, with our agency KASKADA MANAGEMENT, are the local engine reaching out to and negotiating with all the local partners, sponsors, collaborators, and suppliers. The annual event requires our full support and preparation throughout the year, and we are proud to have contributed significantly to the success of the so far three editions GGG in Dubai.

Before each Gala, is it common to have a pre-party in Dubai? And if yes, where did it take place this year?

No, we usually work 24/7 the closer we get to the event date, since two to three weeks before the gala takes place is usually the toughest time for us at KASKADA MANAGEMENT, the entire team. Unfortunately, there is not much time for a pre-party, or family and friends for that matter. But in the end, the effort is worth it, and we are proud of what we have achieved. Having said that, we usually have a small internal post-gala meeting, in which we take the opportunity to review everything that happened, and, at times, we also celebrate the achievements.

What was different this year as compared to the previous ones?

The first event was challenging enough since both KASKADA MANAGEMENT and GGG were new to Dubai, and we had to put a lot of effort in creating awareness in Dubai's philanthropic space for this event and establishing the brand in the whole Middle East. We managed to attract amazing supporters through our personal contacts and minimise  production costs to the benefit of all foundations.

The second edition had amazing partnerships and was another great success. With this benchmark and given the current tough economic situation in the Middle East in general, it was difficult to top the successes of the past, but we are glad that we achieved our objectives and the hard work paid off.

How many funds were raised, and where will the funds be forwarded?

At KASKADA MANAGEMENT, we do not disclose any numbers since the funds are handled by The Global Gift Foundation that receives and distributes the funds after Dubai Cares collects them locally. We ourselves support very closely one of the beneficiary foundations of the night, Sunrise'K Foundation, since my partner and co-founder of KASKADA MANAGEMENT is also the founder of Sunrise'K.

What are your personal feelings about The Dubai Global Gift Gala?

I actually feel personally and emotionally very attached to The Dubai Global Gift Gala. Four years ago, when I moved to Dubai, I saw a chance for an event like this, and since I have always admired the work and passion that the GGG founders bring to this fundraising platform, I got in touch with them. Here we are four years later! Together with my long-term friend and partner, Joanna, we made it happen and feel very proud about this.

Will you continue to organise the Galas also next year?

We committed to thrrr editions of the project in Dubai. Although we would be excited to continue our support for this good cause, we have to evaluate some other projects that we have in the pipeline for 2016 and then decide where to put our time and efforts this coming year. Unfortunately, our resources are scarce, and we have to maximise our impact with what we have available.

How would you describe Eva Longoria?

Eva is an incredible human being, a beautiful and powerful woman, full of charisma and good energy. She is fun, intelligent, and very much involved in and aware of helping the ones in need. I have only admiration and respect for her, and I am honoured and proud to have had the opportunity to work closely with her and her team. I am glad she chose Dubai for her recent engagement putting this beautiful place and the gala in the press spotlight. My best wishes for her and her charming fiancee Pepe!