Nine years old, the Ronald McDonald House Charity ball remains one of Mount Isa’s premier gala events.
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The evening raises much-needed funds for Ronald McDonald House North Queensland, based in Townville, which supports seriously ill children and their families.
And those that queued all night to get tickets were rewarded on Saturday with a huge Peter Pan-themed night out with over 350 guests present at the Good Shepherd Catholic College’s Lumen Christi Centre,
RMHC CEO Amy Cooper put the continued success of the ball down to two reasons.
“Our volunteers do an amazing job to put on the ball and every year people look forward to anticipating the theme,” Ms Cooper said.
“Secondly it seems that everyone in Mount Isa has just one degree of separation from Ronald McDonald House, whether in Townsville, Brisbane, Melbourne or Sydney.”
Ms Cooper said the charity cared for nearly 50 families from the North West region in 2017, providing 847 nights at their hospital-adjacent House.
“Because people in Mount Isa are often far away from friends and family so they rely on each other to form their own family and they have a good sense of community,” she said.
“That’s why they come together on times like this to support a great night.”
One of the highlights of this year’s event was the presentation of a cheque for $10,000.
Mount Isa couple Carla and Anthony Bussutil made the presentation to Ms Cooper for the House’s help to their family when their daughter Ariana was seriously ill last year.
Sadly Ariana died aged four months due to a rare metabolic condition but the family raised the money in a GoFundMe campaign in appreciation of the House’s efforts.
MC Matt O’Neill kept the show running smoothly while ball committee president Katie Brewster thanked her committee, volunteers and sponsors for making the night happen.
“I am proud to say that every dollar raised here tonight goes directly to the house,” Ms Brewster said.
Last year the event raised enough funds to cover 568 nightly stays.