A glittering charity auction at the Hôtel de Paris has raised 102,000 euros for Action Innocence Monaco, funding vital work to protect children and teenagers from online harm. Twenty-seven Christmas trees, each donated by local institutions, luxury brands and prominent figures, went under the hammer in front of an enthusiastic crowd on the evening of Monday, December 15.
The event, hosted inside one of Monaco’s most iconic hotels, unfolded beneath festive chandeliers and alongside the Principality’s cultural glitterati, with Société des Bains de Mer chairman-delegate Stéphane Valeri in attendance. Bids rose sharply throughout the night, culminating in a 9,000 euro sale for the Monaco SPA’s Christmas tree — the star lot of the evening.
Support poured in from right across the community: the Prince’s Palace, the Roca Team, Cartier, Zegna, Marco Traverso and many more entrusted their creations to the cause. By the end of the night, the tally reflected both Monaco’s generosity and the event’s growing reputation as a highlight of the winter calendar.
Behind the glamour, the purpose was serious. The funds raised will support Action Innocence Monaco’s prevention campaigns, which aim to arm young people with the knowledge to navigate an increasingly perilous digital world. With no public subsidies, this annual auction is the association’s financial lifeline.
The association leads sessions in 350 to 400 classrooms every year, tackling online grooming, cyberbullying, predatory behaviour, and manipulation. Their work now closely follows the world of online gaming platforms such as Roblox, which have rapidly become digital playgrounds for younger users — and, in the wrong hands, a dangerous hunting ground.
Parents are also brought into the conversation, with dedicated talks and support formats designed to help families understand the invisible threats their children face.
Music set the tone for the evening, with the ISM Voices choir delivering a charming selection of Christmas carols to open the event.
This year’s list of contributors was long and impressive, featuring luxury houses, major hotels, elite sports organisations and artisan creators — all united behind a single mission: safeguarding the next generation.
With digital dangers evolving at speed, Action Innocence Monaco now heads into 2025 stronger, funded, and ready to continue its fight. And once again, it was something as simple — and symbolic — as a Christmas tree that made it possible.
