Celebrating a decade of supporting sick children, the Making a Difference Gala Ball continues to beat its fundraising goals.

Alicia Jayne and Hamish McLean are making a difference to RCH Cardiology care with their biennial Gala Ball. A highlight of the Ballarat social calendar, this year’s event has raised over $80,000 and counting, nearly doubling what was raised at the previous event.

“We feel incredibly proud that we were able to raise such a significant amount of money for the hospital,” said Alicia.

A passion project for the couple, the Gala Ball brings together 500 of Ballarat’s most generous people for a night to remember in support of the hospital. Walking the red carpet on arrival, guests were ushered into the incredible ballroom decked out with a silent auction, lucky balloons and a raffle. While enjoying a three-course meal, guests heard from the Brown Family about their son Ethan’s RCH journey.

Diagnosed with five serious heart conditions as a toddler, Ethan’s prognosis wasn’t good and his family was told he was unlikely to reach adulthood. Thanks to the RCH Cardiology team, Ethan has undergone several successful heart surgeries and now has a life-saving pacemaker.

After dinner, guests participated in a live auction, which supported the purchase of two bed sponsorships at the hospital. Then it was time to dance the night away thanks to local band After5 and celebrate a job well done.

“The atmosphere in the room was electric. The dance floor was continuously full and the eftpos machines ran nonstop as people purchased raffle tickets and made donations.”

Not content to rest on their laurels, Alicia Jayne and Hamish continued their fundraising post-event with the help of two local families. Each family is raising money to sponsor a bed at the RCH as a way to thank the place that’s given them so much.

“The generosity of our community continues to amaze us each year. We are so thankful to each and every one who helped ‘make a difference’, whether it’s our sponsors, guests or volunteers, we all worked as a team to produce an outstanding result.”