PLEASE NOTE: Images can be downloaded via Hightail https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/0iQVk7Y8ux
PLEASE NOTE: Vision and interviews will be available later today
More than $50,000 has been raised for the Ronald McDonald House charity at the Murray River Police Charity Ball over the weekend, with the final fundraising total still being tallied.
Launched in 2022, the Murray River Police Charity Ball is held every two years and has raised an incredible $65,000 for charities, including the Albury Wodonga Health’s Children’s Wards and NSW and Victoria Police Legacy.
Close to 200 members of the community, businesses and community leaders, NSW Police, Victoria Police, emergency services, Australian Defence Force personnel gathered from both sides of the border, at the SS&A Club in Albury to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House charity.
Dignitaries included the NSW Police Southern Region Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar APM and Ronald McDonald House CEO (Victoria and Tasmania) Peter Bishop.
More than $50,000 has been raised for the Ronald McDonald House to fund a range of services including the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Albury Wodonga Hospital, which provides a comfortable place for families to stay within or close to major hospitals, while their child receives medical treatment.
On the night, several items and experiences were auctioned off to raise funds.
On the night, NSW Police Southern Region Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar APM said he was proud of the achievements of local police and the community.
“The Police are not only the enforcers of the law but they are the general fabric of this community, they are part of these fundraising events, side by side with the local businesses, local government officials and community and support people in need,” Assistant Commissioner Cassar APM said.
“I couldn’t be any prouder, when you see a room full of 190 people shoulder to shoulder for a united cause to support our young children in their time of need, it’s overwhelming and I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
Ronald McDonald House (Victoria and Tasmania) CEO Peter Bishop said the charity receives no government funding and is appreciative of the hard work of the organising committee and community support.
“It’s an overwhelming experience to see the great support that is happening locally in Albury, we really appreciate the support of Police and emergency services. It’s great for our families and some of those families within those services who have used our facilities. It’s great to see the support going around.”
“A lot of families come from this area and do come to Melbourne for emergency support that they will need at Royal Children’s or Monash Children’s and they’ll stay at our houses in metro Melbourne at North Fitzroy Monash in Parkville and we’ve had nearly 7,000 families in our 40 years of existence, so that is overwhelming support for families in those areas. As well, we have a local component, we have a family room at Wodonga Hospital for the special care nursery.”
Ronald McDonald House also shared the emotional story of a local family who benefitted from the Ronald McDonald House Victoria & Tasmania charity, when their daughter Eloise was diagnosed with cancer at age 5.
The final fundraising result is being tallied, with an official cheque handover planned next month.
