Mayor’s Charity Gala raises $170,000 for Very Special Kids

October 27, 2017

Stonnington’s Mayor, Cr Jami Klisaris is delighted to announce that the Mayor’s Charity Gala raised $170,000 for Very Special Kids.

The black-tie event was held on Thursday 12 October 2017 and saw one of Australia’s best-loved singers, Tina Arena, perform a selection of her greatest hits in the magnificent setting of the historic Malvern Town Hall. The event was hosted by Cameron Daddo.

“I’m thrilled that we have been able to raise this significant amount of money for Very Special Kids’’, said City of Stonnington Mayor, Cr Jami Klisaris.

“It was a wonderful night of brilliant entertainment and I’m incredibly proud that we are able to support Very Special Kids, a charity that is close to my heart’’.

For Danielle and Richard Burnet, Very Special Kids has played an important part in their lives. Their two eldest sons were diagnosed with an extremely rare genetic condition, Multiple Sulphatase Deficiency and they require 24-hour care.

“Before we were told of Sebastian’s and then Charlie’s diagnosis, we had very few cares in the world, like most other people. Then all of a sudden, you’re hit with this bombshell and it changes your perspective on everything”, says Danielle Burnet.

“On behalf of Very Special Kids, we are delighted for the wonderful support of the City of Stonnington and Mayor, Cr Jami Klisaris,” said Michael Wasley, CEO, Very Special Kids.

It costs more than $7.6 million each year to operate our children’s charity and we rely substantially on the generous support of the community to provide our services, which is why an event like The Mayor’s Charity Gala is so important. Proceeds from the Gala will have a significant impact on achieving our commitment to care and support over 900 children and their families.

“Very Special Kids continues to rely, and be supported, by our local communities in which we operate, and no local community supports Very Special Kids any greater than Stonnington”, says Michael Wasley, CEO, Very Special Kids.

Very Special Kids cares for children with life-threatening conditions by providing a children’s hospice and professional family support services. They help more than 900 families across Victoria with ongoing support from diagnosis all the way through to recovery or bereavement.