Fundraiser of the Month
June 2008
Newcastle Ball
Black Friday was auspiciously marked in Newcastle with the Annual Newcastle CF Ball on Friday the 13th.
328 revelers came together at Wests Starlight Room, New Lambton to raise funds for CF NSW and to greet the stroke of midnight with crossing the path of a black cat.
The auditorium was gothic but not ghoulish with twinkling fairy lights in tortured willow from Ella Suite Events setting the scene for a memorable Black Friday.
The 2008 ball was the 19th consecutive ball in the Hunter and perfect time to acknowledge the marathon efforts of Joy Pegg and Jan Clucas who had lead the organization of every ball until this year.
Local paediatrician, Dr Larry Roddick was delighted to lead a toast to the Pegg and Clucas families for there amazing commitment to the ball and its on-going success. A thank you DVD presentation of photos of past balls and the attendees raised a smile and brought back many memories or the great times shared with the Newcastle CF Community and the legion of family, friends and work colleagues and other CF parents, who had been Joy and Jan’s volunteer army for 19 years.
KOFM radio personality, Nick Condon was on-hand as Master of Ceremonies and had little knowledge of CF before becoming involved with the ball. Nick was amazed at the energy, goodwill and generosity of everyone gathered and enjoyed meeting people with his roving microphone and checking out the winners from the Tombala and Silent auction.
New to the microphone and encouraged by her parents and twin sister Kathleen, Elizabeth Williams shared her experience of living with CF and her dedication to exercise and the efforts required for her to maintain her health and lifestyle. Rosie Day, Paediatric Physiotherapist from John Hunter Children’s Hospital also updated supporters on the current treatments and explained Cystic Fibrosis for those in attendance who were less familiar with the disease. The temporarily be-horned physiotherapist was also an enthusiastic member of the organising committee and corralled a collection of batgirls, witches and little devils for selling the Tombala tickets.
The night flew by with funky tunes by Newcastle Band “Urban Groove”.
A mutual admiration society was formed by the band and the dance floor of guests who looked amazing and had put so much effort into their Ball attire.
The fundraising efforts of the night raised over $23,000 for CF NSW to fund research and to help support families living with CF. Special thanks to Williams the Jewellers and Kasumba who have continued their amazing support of the ball and the silent auction.
Thank you to the dedicated people who come back year after year and welcome to the new faces and families who moved heaven and earth to attend the ball while balancing the care and treatments of their child or relative with CF.
The Newcastle CF Ball, started by two loving mums, will continue and next year celebrate the 20th Anniversary Ball on Friday 12 June, 2009.
May 2008
Sharon Dowell and Helen Vaughn
In a town with a population of 7000 two extraordinary women raised a fantastic amount of $5300 during the month of May. Sharon Dowell and Helen Vaughn live in the very generous town of Tumut. Sharon and Helen are tireless workers and hold a stall in Tumut where they raise awareness of Cystic Fibrosis through the sale of 65 Roses Day merchandise as well as boosting their fundraisings efforts with a raffle. Well done Sharon and Helen.
