Quick-fire fundraising was the order of the day when a volunteer group generated more than $30,000 ? in barely two hours. Bermuda-based Kathmandu Kids Club raised the ?incredible? sum at its recent launch event at the Bermuda National Gallery.

Cash flooded in when the gallery was transformed into a bustling Himalayan marketplace for the night, as more than 300 people snapped up authentic Nepali crafts, arts and textiles.

Auction items under the hammer included Buddhist paintings and a traditional Sikkimese rug, selected by the Princess of Sikkim. The club formed to help raise money for the Nepalese projects of The ISIS Foundation ? a charity caring for thousands of needy children in Nepal and Uganda. Chairman Kim Carter hailed last month?s event ?a huge success?.

He added: ?It was a tremendous atmosphere and we are absolutely delighted at the generous response from people of all walks of life.

?We almost completely sold out of our Nepali items and we received a number of significant donations as well as signing up several new members, patrons and donors. In all we raised over $30,000 which was incredible.?

Organisers thanked volunteers who transformed the gallery in a couple of hours, as well as individuals and companies who contributed products, services and last-minute auction items for Namaste: An Evening in Nepal The ISIS Foundation?s mission is to make a positive difference to the lives of children in the developing world, primarily through health and educational programmes. All auction proceeds go towards the Foundation?s projects in Nepal. These range from running ten children?s homes for children who have escaped the war in the mountains and are now living in Kathmandu, to providing solar power and pit latrines for families living in villages 12,000 feet up in the Himalayas.