Mickey Mouse statues auctioned for L'Aquila hospital charity

Sotheby's will auction 26 customized Mickey Mouse statues on November 22, 2016, at the Salone d'Onore of Triennale Milano to benefit Fondazione ABIO Italia Onlus. The funds will create child-friendly spaces in hospitals, starting with the Neuropsichiatria Infantile ward at L'Aquila Hospital, a reference center for earthquake-affected areas. The auction concludes the traveling exhibition "Topolino e l'Italia," which debuted at Triennale Milano on April 22, 2016, and toured Milan, Bologna, Naples, Rome, and Turin, attracting over 4 million visitors. The statues were personalized by Disney Italia and prominent Italian brands from fashion, design, food, and automotive sectors. Mickey Mouse was born on November 18, 1928, from Walt Disney's imagination, first appearing in the synchronized sound cartoon "Steamboat Willie." Italy was among the first countries to embrace the character, with his first illustration appearing in the Sunday supplement "L'Illustrazione del Popolo" in 1930. Disney Italia CEO Daniel Frigo expressed happiness to celebrate the anniversary with a social responsibility act, bringing entertainment magic to children and families in difficulty.