Ray White Ball Raises $156K For Muscular Dystrophy

RAY White Surfers Paradise Group has handed a major donation to Muscular Dystrophy Queensland (MDQ) after the company’s annual gala ball raised more than $156,000 for the charity.

With an 800-strong guest list, the 2016 Ray White Charity Ball at Jupiters Hotel and Casino was the biggest since the group started the event in the 1990s.

The proceeds of the September 3 gala mean the annual event has raised $3.2 million in total for MDQ over the life of the ball.

RWSP CEO Andrew Bell and director Greg Bell presented the cheque to MDQ CEO Helene Frayne this week (November 30) saying its size reflected the deep generosity of the Gold Coast community.

“Gold Coasters are great at letting their hair down and having a good time, but they’re even better at rallying together for a worthy cause, and we’ve seen both evidenced in the ball and the money raised from it,” Mr Bell said.

“We are immensely proud of the generosity of the Gold Coast community and of our donors which has resulted in this significant sum being raised.

“It is our long-term ambition to see the eradication of this disease – it is heartbreaking because it affects our youth.”

Ms Frayne said the gesture was a significant donation that would help MDQ to seek a cure for the disease and to provide ongoing support for people living with muscular dystrophy.

“Ray White’s unwavering support for this cause and the generosity of the Gold Coast are greatly appreciated and have made a major impact to the organisation over the past 20-plus years,” she said.

“We are so reliant on the support of our corporate partners to continue offering the services we do.

“Government funding comprises just 11 per cent of our budget – we fundraise for the rest – so big donations like this are just wonderful.”

Ms Frayne half of the funds would help people living with muscular dystrophy and their families with services like the MDQ help line, case management and advocacy as well as equipment such as hi lo beds.

She said the balance would go towards researching and finding a cure for muscular dystrophy.

Andrew and Gregory Bell are lifelong members of Muscular Dystrophy Queensland.