Bank on UBS to raise laughs – and HK$1.7 million – for a worthy cause
The Force is with employees as they don costumes and spend big at a party for Operation Santa Claus
It was time for UBS staff to take a break for charity, dressing up and enjoying themselves at a Christmas party on the 52nd floor of the International Finance Centre in Central.
Many staff members also bought along their families to join the event themed as a “Winter Market” with stalls selling home-made mince pies, cookies and freshly made juice. There were balloons as well, and a booth for people to take photos with Santa. All the proceeds go to Operation Santa Claus, the annual charity campaign jointly organised by the South China Morning Post and RTHK.
The room was filled with people in costumes depicting popular Star Wars, Power Rangers and Disney characters, while SWAT officers and Game of Thrones favourites were also around.
Staff member Andrew Murfin, who was dressed up as Jon Snow from Game of Thrones, said he enjoyed the party despite a little boy mistaking him for Darth Vader.
“It’s the highlight of December. We’ve been doing it for many years, for me at least 10 years at UBS, and it’s great fun, we get to have a good time and it’s also for the best cause as well,” he said.
Among those in Star Wars costumes was Phuak Hoon-Leng, who got the highest bid of HK$43,000 (US$5,512) within his group to dress up as Princess Leia. He said he was surprised by the amount and laughed off the gender switch, saying it was “revenge” by his colleagues.