Scots superstar Annie Lennox will perform a special set in Glasgow on Thursday night to raise funds for an Oxfam project to end violence against women.

The singer is the highlight of the Scottish Circle’s ‘We Can’ event, an evening of fashion and music, which aims to raise more than £100,000.

‘Oxfam – We Can – Pakistan’ is the first major fundraiser by the Scottish Circle, a new group of influential Scots women who are campaigning for women’s rights at home and abroad.

The Scottish Circle was inspired by Annie Lennox – who founded the original Circle with Oxfam in London in 2008. The Circle is a partnership of influential women who work with Oxfam – using their ideas, skills and resources to help the international aid agency fight inequality and poverty. To date, the Circle has raised more than £1million for Oxfam.

Speaking ahead of her performance, Annie Lennox said:

“It’s great that the Scottish Circle have chosen to raise funds for Oxfam’s We Can campaign in Pakistan at this event. Domestic violence is the single biggest cause of injury and death to women and We Can promotes women and men working together to live without violence.

“Equality is never about privileged treatment. It’s about living as equals and I am delighted to support this Circle’s initiative. Through their campaigning and fundraising for women’s rights at home and abroad, they show women are the key to empowering other women.”

Oxfam has seen how poverty affects women and girls hardest. All proceeds from the event will directly support Oxfam’s project in Pakistan to end violence against women, empower women and help transform the lives of the world’s poorest people.

Scottish Circle members include actress Daniela Nardini, former Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini and businesswoman Farah Khushi – who recently visited Pakistan to see first-hand how change-makers, supported by Oxfam, are challenging long-held attitudes to women.

Hosted by broadcaster Muriel Gray, the evening’s entertainment will include an ‘upcycled’ fashion show by Pakistan’s top designers, Nickie Nina, traditional performers and musicians, a glamorous auction and a luxury raffle.

Among the items being auctioned are a Stella McCartney gown (designed for Livia Firth who wore it to the Met Ball), a bespoke pair of Jimmy Choo Couture hand-painted stilettos, and a VIP shopping spree in designer boutique Cruise.

Guests will also enjoy superb hospitality with delicious Scottish Asian fusion food by Saffron Events, as well as champagne and cocktails at the edgy Studio Warehouse venue in Glasgow, which will be transformed for this exclusive evening.

Scottish Circle chair Farah Khushi said:

“This will be an unforgettable and inspiring evening with world-class entertainment and the chance to win or bid for amazing prizes that money can’t buy. We’re thrilled Annie Lennox will be joining us and singing for the lucky guests who will certainly have an evening to remember.

“The success of the event means we’ll be able to help women and girls in Pakistan who are victims of abuse and continue the ‘We Can’ campaign to change attitudes to domestic violence from the grassroots upwards.”

The members of Scottish Circle are Farah Khushi, (charity fundraiser and businesswoman), Poonam Gupta (Asian businesswoman of the year 2009), Jacqui Morris (businesswoman), Dame Elish Angiolini (former Lord Advocate), Daniela Nardini (actress), Kelly Cooper Barr (fashion stylist) Vicky Fleming Brown (fashion stylist), Lana Haj-Yahi (Palestinian actress), Dr Rita Ahmad (Asian businesswoman of the year 2010), Ainslie Currie (celebrity make-up artist) and Gillian More (solicitor advocate).

LC & AD