Big Games windfall for charity

THE recipient of the most financially successful charity ball in Gold Coast history is grateful for the cash – and the publicity.

“The funds are so important but the actual branding opportunity it gave us was marvellous,” Gold Coast Community Fund deputy chair Nick Scott said of this month’s star-studded Commonwealth Games Charity Gala that has raised a record-breaking $358,080 for the grassroots organisation.

“We’re already finding we’re not only getting approaches from organisations that want to help us but (potential) recipients who now understand we’re there.

“It was a double whammy for us.”

Held at The Star Gold Coast, the glitzy gala has set a new benchmark for such events.

“It’s beyond question,” event auctioneer and property doyen Andrew Bell said.

“I’ve been doing this for 28 years and there are lots of balls held on the Gold Coast every year and there is not one event that has ever raised that amount of money.”