ExclusiveSave the Children calls off Hong Kong fundraising dinner over ‘safety concerns’

Last-minute decision made because of fears for the ‘safety and well-being of the guests’ and 100 children who were to perform at the event

Michael Pillsbury, an adviser to US President Donald Trump, was on the guest list – but a source says the charity was divided over whether he should attend

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Riot police retreat after clashes with protesters on Sunday. A Save the Children spokeswoman said the decision to cancel the event was made “in light of the recent protests in Hong Kong”. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 11:30pm, 19 Sep 2019Updated: 2:01am, 20 Sep 2019

Global charity Save the Children has cancelled a gala fundraising dinner due to be held in Hong Kong on Saturday because of “concerns over the safety and well-being” of its guests and child performers.

It came a day after the Hong Kong Jockey Club took the unprecedented step of calling off a race meeting at Happy Valley, citing safety fears for its staff, customers and horses.

Save the Children’s last-minute announcement on Thursday left those on the guest list in the lurch, including Michael Pillsbury, a senior fellow with the Washington-based Hudson Institute and adviser to US President Donald Trump.

The charity had planned to host its annual fundraising dinner, marking its 100th anniversary, at the Rosewood Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui.

A spokeswoman for Save the Children said the event was cancelled because “we are concerned about the safety and well-being of the guests”. She added that 100 children had been invited to perform at the gala dinner, and the charity was worried that their safety could not be guaranteed.