It’s the social night of nights on the Gold Coast, the 10th annual Titans Charity Ball. Players, sponsors, fans and plenty not directly involved in the game dress up and gather for a wonderful night of entertainment and good cause.
Beyond that, its major objective is to raise much needed funds and when you meet Sharyn Brown and discover her story, it brings the big night on July 10 at Jupiters Hotel and Casino into perspective.
The beneficiary of this year’s ball, Ronald McDonald House, played a big part in the most traumatic period of Sharyn’s life – when her twin daughters were born 16 weeks premature five years ago today.
Rachel, born one hour before her sister Delinda, only survived just over eight hours but Delinda celebrates her birthday today and Sharyn and her husband Glenn will never forget the support Ronald McDonald House gave them.
She still raises money for them today and is grateful the Titans, and principal sponsors Gold Coast Audi Centre which is part of the James Frizelle’s Motor Group, donating profits from next Friday’s ball to the organisation.
The major fund-raising item on the night is the auctioning of an Audi A3 1.4 TFSI Cabrio, valued at about $60,000.
“To hear what Titans are doing for Ronald McDonald House with this fund raiser, it means multiple families can have a stress free hospital visit just like we were able to thanks to them,” Sharyn said as Delinda playfully roamed around Cbus Super Stadium, kicking a football with Titans star Daniel Mortimer.
Sharyn and Glenn were on a caravanning holiday on the NSW mid-North Coast when she went into labour and she and her twins were flown to the Gold Coast. She soon after moved to Pacific Pines but had numerous trips to Brisbane where Delinda was fighting for her life in hospital.
Ronald McDonald House provided a house near the hospital where the Browns set up base for five months, after it was predicted Delinda would not live past six months.
“It allowed the stress to be taken away,” she says. “My husband and I could stay there, and could have family around us which was such a blessing when I was spending 13 hours a day by Delinda’s bedside.
“We had other companies provide meals; we just had so much support through RMH at a very traumatic time.”
Delinda is a happy, active young girl who has had cochlea implants and suffers from chronic lung disease and suffered brain damage but bring much joy to those around her.
CEO of Ronald McDonald House south-east Queensland, Chris Macaulay, said the money raised at the charity ball – to be compared by Vince Sorrenti - will go towards the capital fund-raising program aimed at raising $20 million for a new house in Brisbane, which would house numerous Gold Coast families, and costs of operating the houses in the region.
“There is a lot going on with the building of new house in South Brisbane and other activities and the money raised on the night will be invaluable,” said Mr Macaulay.
“This is the second year that we have benefitted from the charity ball and we are very appreciative of the Titans’ support.
RMH have 50 rooms at Herston (next to the Royal Brisbane women’s and children’s hospitals) Hospital, 21 rooms at the Mater Hospital, two at Gold Coast University hospital and several at Lady Cilento.
Tickets for the charity ball are still on sale, click here to buy tickets or call the club on 07 5656 5650.
