From left: Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), Premier and Minister of Finance, Miss World 2017, Manushi Chhillar, Lorna G. Smith OBE, wife of the Premier, and Julia Morley, Chairwoman of the Miss World Organisation, at the fundraising gala held on Sunday, February 25, 2018 at Charlie's Restaurant at the Moorings. Photo: VINO

More than $55,000 have been raised for the rebuilding of the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre that was destroyed by Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017. Photo: VINO/File

Principal of the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre, Ms Vansittart C. C. Huggins and her staff during the fundraising gala. Photo: VINO

Royalties mingling with some of the members of community. Photo: VINO

Miss World 2017, Manushi Chhillar expressed that she was greeted with 'beaming smiles and enthusiastic faces' when she arrived to the island on Sunday, February 25, 2018. Photo: VINO

From left: Annie Evans of New Zealand, Ha-Eun Kim of Korea, Andres Meza of Mexico, Miss World 2017, Manushi Chhillar, Salonge Sinclair of Jamaica and Stephanie Del Valle of Puerto Rico, Miss World 2016. Photo: VINO

Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), Premier and Minister of Finance, during his appreciation remarks thanked the Miss World Organisation for choosing to come to the Virgin Islands (VI), while adding that he hopes that persons will be more supportive of the VI during this trying times. Photo: VINO

Julia Morley, Chairwoman of the Miss World Organisation, disclosed that Miss World 2017 and her delegates would like to visit the VI again. Photo: VINO

The charity dinner was held on Sunday, February 25, 2018 at Charlie's Restaurant at The Moorings on Wickham's Cay II, Tortola.

The night was kicked off with a cocktail reception followed by a fashion show where the royalties modeled pieces from Umi fashion store located in Road Town.

Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith (AL), Premier and Minister of Finance, thanked the Miss World Organisation for choosing to come to the Virgin Islands (VI), while adding that he hopes persons will be more supportive of the VI during these trying times.

"Its absolutely a pleasure having you all here in the BVI. I know the Miss World pageant is the most watched in the entire world and so right now with you guys here, the eyes around the world are focused on the BVI and that's good. Hopefully the sympathy of the entire world will be more inclined to be supportive of the BVI in this time of great stress," expressed Premier Smith.

"Every young lady wants to come back"- Julia E. Morley

Julia E. Morley, Chairwoman of the Miss World Organisation, disclosed that Miss World 2017 and her delegates would like to visit the VI again.

She said, "Every young girl here tonight wants to come back. It doesn't matter about the beautiful sands or lovely oceans and mountains, its the people that matter."

"I saw beaming smiles & enthusiastic faces" - Manushi Chhillar

Following, Miss World 2017, Manushi Chhillar expressed that she did not know she would have loved the VI so much, while adding that when she heard about the school she was driven to come and assist.

"I had never anticipated how much I would fall in love with this place. I could never ever imagine something this horrific happening to such a beautiful land. I remember the school that you [Helena A. Hewlett] spoke about and I think that was one of the biggest drive. So I had to come over here and to be able to give those children a right to education," said Ms Chhillar.

She further stated that when she first stepped off the plane it was an "amazing moment" because she was greeted with "beaming smiles and enthusiastic faces".

In the few hours that Ms Chhillar has been on island she expressed that she learnt that the "storm did not break the spirit" of the people.

Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (AL), Minister for Education and Culture, expressed thanks to the Miss World Organisation for taking an interest in the VI, noting that special education have made significant strides over the years.

Helina A. Hewlett, Miss World BVI 2017 was presented with a Caribbean Insurers Limited (CIL) sponsored Sceptre as a means for the queens to promise that they will continue to give back to the community even after their reign has ended.

"I am overwhelmed" - Vansittart C. C. Huggins

In an exclusive interview with Principal of the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre, Ms Vansittart C. C  Huggins expressed that she is "overwhelmed" for the support.

"I am just overwhelmed. Our own local people have a natural heart with the ability to just give and share their resources towards a genuine cause. Although the school is a government institution, our students who are differently abled and talented belong to all of us. They are a part of our society," said Ms Huggins.

She continued, "Miss World Committee, both internationally and locally, must be saluted for spearheading this event. It is just beauty with a purpose. I look forward to seeing them getting down with the students at school and interacting with them. My other highlight is when they will put their hands in the mud to remove the debris from the school. Miss World Committee and my student, Helena, I can now say that your faith and works are materialising. Thank you."

Over $55,000 raised

At the end of the night, the Miss World BVI Organisation raised over $55,000. All the funds raised will go towards Miss World BVI 2017-2018 Helena A. Hewlett's 'Beauty With A Purpose’ (BWAP) philanthropic quest of re-building the territory’s only institution for the differently abled, the Eslyn Henley Richiez School, which was totally destroyed by Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017.

Other royalties that accompanied Miss World 2017 are Miss World Puerto Rico Stephanie Del Valle, Miss World Jamaica Solange Sinclair, Miss World Mexico Alma Andrea Meza Carmona, Miss World New Zealand Annie Evans and Miss World Korea Kim Ha-eun.