Community spirit shines as first ‘Through Our Eyes’ fundraiser raises €5,000 for children’s eye-surgery charity
The very first Through Our Eyes fundraising event brought together more than 55 guests on October 25 for an evening of friendship, food and giving — raising over €5,000 to help children born with rare eyelid conditions receive life-changing surgery in Málaga.
Held at La Scala restaurant in Marbella the launch celebration featured live music, raffles and an introduction by charity founder Vanessa Rodrigo Jakubowski, who shared the story of her son Emilio’s own journey after being treated by world-leading Málaga surgeon Dr Medel.
Vanessa Rodrigo Jakubowski, Charity Founder, said:
“Our first charity event was not only the first for the charity, but the first ever in the world to raise awareness and support for Blepharophimosis Ptosis Epicanthus Inversus Syndrome (BPES). This rare condition that my son was born with has been ignored, undiagnosed and misdiagnosed for long enough. The event was historical, monumental and so special, and not just me but all of our rare community appreciate everyone who turned out for us.
“Out of 10 million charities in the world, those 55 people took time out of their lives to support us, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Juggling the charity work with being a mum, a wife and having a job is not easy, it takes many early mornings and late nights, but tonight was the first time it all really felt worthwhile.
“Funds from the evening will support baby Jay´s sight saving Ptosis surgery. The charity is supporting his travel and cost of the surgery, which is around €18,000, so we’re doing all we can to reach this amount.”
The charity’s lead sponsor Michael Holzemann, Managing Director of Rethemo an organic health products company, said:
“At Rethemo, we see health as the union of efficacy and humanity. Our products are created to enhance people’s lives — in harmony with nature and grounded in science.
“For me as a founder, holistic thinking goes beyond research and development. It’s also about responsibility and giving back. That’s why we support Through Our Eyes – a project that funds surgeries for children with rare eyelid malformations and helps families who could not afford them otherwise.
In this initiative, words are matched by action. Donations are transformed directly into life-changing treatments. This kind of tangible impact embodies our philosophy: health is not only measured in the body, but in how we care for one another. That is the essence of Rethemo – to think holistically and act with purpose.”
The event was supported by:
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- Michael Holzemann of Rethemo – a German-based company offering premium, plant-derived health and beauty products that combine nature with science.
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- House of Yage – a premium wellness studio and café in Marbella where high-intensity workouts using methods like Lagree and Tonal meet mindful movement, community connection and healthy café culture.
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- Made to measure Art – creates bespoke, handcrafted resin-art and decorative furniture pieces in Marbella, tailored to your colours, size and space.
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- Kathryn Lindup – Paradise in Me – helps individuals unlock inner peace and personal transformation through downloadable hypnosis recordings and Rapid Transformational-therapy sessions.
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- Salty Snuggles – Handmade heat & cold therapy salt pillows for cozy moments & natural care.
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- La Scala restaurant – From rich Italian flavors to an inviting, elegant setting—La Scala is your perfect midweek indulgence.
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- Figaro restaurant – A Divine, Classy, Stylish and Sexy new Concept in La Cala de Mijas
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- La Pergola restaurant – From classic Italian bruschetta to the finest meat dishes, every bite is elegant and delicious.
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- Cyrano restaurant – Cyrano Bar & Grill is a social and taste extravaganza, a complete gastronomic experience
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- Liza Mayne makeup – Liza Mayne is a talented professional freelance make-up artist with over 15 years experience
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- Karina Strazheva – content creation
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- Kate Hill Alegre fashion – Local handmade fashion brand.
Through Our Eyes extends heartfelt thanks to every guest, donor and business partner who made its launch fundraiser such a success.
Vanessa added:
“This was the first step. Now we look ahead to our next event at La Sala, Marbella on 12 November — continuing to raise awareness and funds so more children like Emilio and baby Jay can see the world clearly.”
Learn more or donate: https://www.goodhub.com/go/savejayssight
second charity event
A packed house at La Sala Bar & Restaurant in Puerto Banus on Wednesday (November 12) saw fashion and fundraising combine to raise €1700 for 18-month-old baby Jay, who was born unable to open his right eye because of a rare congenital condition.
The event – hosted by Through Our Eyes charity Founder Vanessa Rodrigo Jakubowski and supported by Adele of Angel Clothing Marbella and Michael Hölzemann of health brand rethemo – featured a runway show, lunch, an art auction and raffle.
All proceeds will go to Through Our Eyes, a charity that supports children with rare eyelid conditions*. The charity was founded by Vanessa, whose own son Emilio underwent a procedure for Blepharofimosis Ptosis Epicanthus Inversus Syndrome (BPES) in Málaga.
This second fundraiser saw 50 people attend and builds on the charity’s debut event last month, which raised over €5,000, bringing its total amount raised for baby Jay’s surgery to €6700 so far. The approximate cost for the surgery, accommodation and travel to Malaga is €18,000. Baby Jay lives in Canada and was born with congenital ptosis, which means he has no muscle in his right eyelid. His family would like to bring him to Malaga for surgery to restore function and vision.
Vanessa Rodrigo Jakubowski, said:
‘BPES – the condition my baby boy was born with – and these other rare eyelid conditions have been ignored and misdiagnosed for too long. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who took time to support us in spreading awareness of this rare condition and raising money for other babies such as Jay to access vision-saving, life changing surgery here in Malaga.
“It’s incredibly heartwarming to know that over 100 people across both events attended and donated to make a tangible change to a little boy’s life. I am so grateful. We still have a way to go to reach the €18,000 for the costs to support Jay’s surgery and anyone else who would like to make a contribution is welcome to do so via our donation page .”
Michael Hölzemann is Through Our Eyes’ lead sponsor and Founder of rethemo – a plant-derived premium health brand. He said:
“Both events reveal what’s possible when a community of entrepreneurs and residents transform compassion into impact. At rethemo, we believe health is the harmony of efficacy and humanity – enhancing lives in balance with nature and grounded in science. As a founder, holistic thinking goes beyond research and innovation; it’s also about responsibility and giving back. That’s why we’re proud to support Through Our Eyes, where compassion is transformed into action and donations into life-changing treatments.”
Adele of Angel Clothing Marbella hosted the fashion show. She said:
“It was such a wonderful and successful day. I love putting on fashion shows in support of such charity events, and Through Our Eyes is a particularly special cause that has truly touched my heart. Everyone who attended was so supportive – it means a lot to see the community come together for something so meaningful, while giving everyone the chance to have fun and enjoy a great day out together.”
Donations can be made via the Through Our Eyes donation page. Follow us on Instagram to receive updates about our news and upcoming events.
