A big crowd attended the event at the SS&A Club. Photo: NSW Police.
More than $50,000 has been raised for Ronald McDonald House after hundreds of people gathered in Albury for the Murray River Police Charity Ball, with the final fundraising total still being tallied.
Held at the SS&A Club over the weekend, the biennial event attracted close to 200 community members, business leaders, NSW and Victoria Police officers, emergency services personnel and Australian Defence Force members from both sides of the border.
Launched in 2022, the Murray River Police Charity Ball has now raised an impressive $65,000 for charities, including Albury Wodonga Health’s children’s wards and NSW and Victoria police legacy.
This year’s event will support Ronald McDonald House, with the money helping fund 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.
Among those attending were NSW Police Southern Region Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar APM and Ronald McDonald House Victoria and Tasmania CEO Peter Bishop. Several items and experiences were auctioned during the night to boost the fundraising effort.
“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.”
NSW Police Southern Region Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar APM thanked those in attendance. Photo: NSW Police.
Mr Bishop said the charity received no government funding and appreciated the support from the Albury community, police and emergency services.
“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.”
He said many families from the Albury region relied on Ronald McDonald House facilities in Melbourne when children needed specialist treatment.
“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 7000 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.”
Guests also heard the emotional story of a local family who benefited from Ronald McDonald House Victoria and Tasmania after their daughter, Eloise, was diagnosed with cancer at the age of five.
The final fundraising total is still being tallied, with an official cheque handover planned next month.
