GALLERY ONLINE: Mount Gambier Hospital Superhero Charity Ball
LOCAL superheroes dazzled a crowd of more than 200 people at The Barn on Saturday night during the second-annual Mount Gambier Hospital Charity Ball.
Doctors and nurses swapped their scrubs for capes, while emergency services personnel wore a different type of mask as they hit the dance floor at the superhero-themed fundraiser.
The spectacular floor show was choreographed by Maria Slape of MJ Dance Studio.
Mount Gambier Health Advisory Council presiding member Maureen Klintberg said this year’s event helped raise almost $30,000 for the hospital’s paediatric unit.
“We sold 230 tickets and we were very pleased with the evening,” Ms Klintberg said.
“It was a great party atmosphere and it was fantastic to see the community engaging with our doctors and nurses.
“The hospital staff and frontline emergency services enthusiastically supported and embraced the concept and the crowd were lifted off their feet during the performances.”
While the caped crusaders danced to the Avengers theme, MJ jazz dancers performed a routine to Circle of Life, which was a moving tribute to the role of the hospital.
“Doctors, nurses, police, firefighters, the SES and ambos are our local superheroes who care for and protect our community 24 hours a day,” Ms Klintberg said.
“We appreciate the essential services they provide to our community and the fact they gave up their valuable time to support our fundraising efforts.”
Ms Klintberg said the generosity of the community would support the establishment of a treatment room specifically for children.
“Give Me 5 for Kids donated $12,000 on the night and we raised an estimated $14,000 profit from the ball itself,” she said.
“We are still receiving donations and we expect the total funds raised will be around $30,000.”
The ball marked the launch of the hospital’s Superhero Campaign, with Ezekiel Coutts – who bravely battles chronic lung and kidney disease – announced as the face of the campaign.
“Ezekiel has had multiple admissions to the Mount Gambier Hospital’s paediatric unit,” Ms Klintberg said.
“While Ezekiel and his family praise the hospital staff, they have a wish list to create a child-friendly environment to provide better outcomes for the physical and emotional health of young patients.”
The campaign will aim to build a treatment room for children, paint the walls in bright colours, build an outdoor playground, redevelop the labour ward and build a parents’ retreat.
The establishment of a treatment room is the hospital’s first priority and the project will cost an estimated $65,000.
Ms Klintberg said brochures about the superhero campaign would be widely distributed soon.
