Riviera works with charity

by Denby Browning on 2 Jun 2007
Australia’s most awarded luxury boat builder, Riviera, has joined with Ronald McDonald House Charities to become naming rights partner for the 2007 Queensland Ronald McDonald House Charities Riviera Crystal Ball in September.

The annual RMHC Ball will be held this year at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on the evening of Saturday, September 8. Approximately 900 guests are expected to attend the gala event which raises much needed funds for the ongoing work of Ronald McDonald House Charities in Queensland.

Board Member for Ronald McDonald Houses in Queensland, Erica Clydsdale, said RMHC was delighted that Riviera had come on board as the naming rights sponsor of the ball.

Riviera will also supply the Gala raffle prize for the ball. This valuable and highly sought after prize consists of a cruise for four people over five days and four nights aboard Riviera’s corporate boat, the Riviera 51 Enclosed Flybridge Fascination II. The package includes flights, skipper, executive chef, all food and drinks for the entire five days. Tickets in the raffle will be available for the general public at a price of $100 per ticket. A limited number of tickets will be available.

McDonalds Australia Limited funds the administration costs of RMHC so every dollar raise in the raffle and at the Ball goes directly to the RMHC Qld One of the cornerstone projects of the charity is Ronald McDonald Houses. These houses located at major hospitals throughout the country provide a home away from home for sick children and their families. Queensland has three houses, two in Brisbane and one in Townsville. Herston House in Brisbane is one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, helping to put a roof over the heads of up to 51 families every night.

'Since 1981, Australia’s 12 Ronald McDonald Houses have helped more than 35,000 families in their hour of need,' said Erica Clydsdale. 'They provide a home away from home, a shoulder to cry on and a support network for families who have experienced the trauma of their child in hospital, often fighting for their lives.'

Stephen Milne, Director of Brand and Communications at Riviera, said the company was proud to be involved with the RMHC Ball and to help raise funds for the Ronald McDonald Houses.

'When we heard to inspirational stories of children such as Jarrod Keaton who received one-on-one tuition through the Ronald McDonald Learning Program while battling leukaemia, we made a commitment to support this year’s Charity Ball.

'Riviera has a long history in supporting community organisations,' he said. 'This RMHC project is a very worthy one. Already we have received strong support from Riviera owners both to attend the Ball and to purchase tickets in the Gala Raffle,' he said.

Tickets to the RMHC Riviera Crystal Ball can be purchased online for $195 each or $1,950 for a table to 10 at www.rmhcevents.com.au. Or telephone Meredith Holland on 07 3630 3712 or email Meredith.holland(at)au.mcd.com.

Gala Raffle tickets are also available online.