Whitsunday Escape supports Neuroblastoma Australia fundraiser
Whitsunday Escape joined forces with a number of local Whitsunday businesses to host a charity fundraiser for Neuroblastoma Australia and the Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia.
The event raised nearly $55,000 for Australian children’s cancer charities, including $20,000 direct to Neuroblastoma Australia.
Whitsunday Escape held a big raffle for a $9,000 bareboat holiday, which raised $20,000 through ticket sales. The holiday was generously donated by the private owners of the Leopard 46 sailing catamaran, pictured below with the other generous prize donors and the local Howse family.
Local boy Connor Howse was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma at the age of 3 in 2014. He has just turned 8, and is now in remission, but after years of gruelling treatment, he has been left with long term side effects including hearing loss.
Neuroblastoma is the leading cause of cancer deaths in children under 5. More research is needed into this debilitating childhood cancer. More research will find better treatment options. Better treatment options will leave fewer side effects and improve the survival rate.
The Howse family have shown such resilience and strength over the past few years with their firstborn undergoing such insidious treatment away from home in Brisbane. Little sisters Isla and Freya adore their big brother and love having him back home to play. Mum and dad have done a brilliant job keeping everyone’s spirits high, showing nothing but love, all the while working on the side to continue to raise funds for research.
The prize winner is thrilled to have won the holiday prize, having never won anything before. Having had a colleague directly affected by the disease, when they saw the raffle was in aid of Neuroblastoma, they immediately bought a ticket. Now, they have the joy of organising a bareboating holiday for up to 11 people! They’ve chosen August next year to travel to the Whitsundays and are most looking forward to experiencing the peace and tranquility of the idyllic Whitsunday Islands.
Last week, some of the local Whitsunday businesses that supported the charity dinner stopped by Abell Point Marina to receive their thank you certificates from Connor personally. Pictured below are:
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