HeartKids and Mackay Women’s Services accept donations from Mackay Charity Ball fundraiser

The Mackay Mayor’s Charity Ball is life-changing for residents such as Melody Burton who will celebrate her 58th birthday, a milestone she never imagined.

Melody Burton was just four years old when she learned she would likely die before her 7th birthday.

The Mackay survivor was born with congenital heart disease, a disease she says is unique to every person it scars.

Mrs Burton said she spent her childhood short of breath and without sport but thanks to advances in surgery over the decades, she will celebrate her 58th birthday next month alongside her husband David.

“My parents were told I probably wouldn’t last any longer than six (years old),” she said.

“I’ve had three open heart surgeries.

“It’s only with research and advocacy that I’m here, basically.”

Congenital heart disease survivor Melody Burton, of Mackay, with Heart Kids state manager Holly Williams, after receiving a cheque for $44,508 from the Mayor's Charity Ball fundraiser. Picture: Heidi Petith

Mrs Burton, who relies on a wheelchair and oxygen, said the emotional rollercoaster and world-first surgeries took a huge toll on the family, with extra support “invaluable” to get through to the other side.

She joined Heart Kids state manager Holly Williams at the Jubilee Community Centre on Wednesday to accept $44,508, half the proceeds from the Mackay Mayor’s Charity Ball in May.

The money will employ a part-time co-ordinator in Mackay to establish a support group, playgroups, meetings and possibly camps, benefiting about 300 Mackay residents living with heart disease from birth to end-of-life.

Ms Williams said the donation meant everything to Heart Kids that had heavily relied on volunteers.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson handing a cheque for half of the proceeds from the Mayor's Charity Ball to Mackay Women's Services executive director Linda-Ann Northey. The ball also fundraised for Heart Kids. Picture: Heidi Petith

Mackay Women’s Services executive director Linda-Ann Northey received the other half of the ball’s proceeds on behalf of the organisation, the money going towards an intervention program for Mackay males aged 9-18.

Ms Northey earlier said the centre was inundated with cries for help from mothers, grandmothers, aunties, the Child Safety Department and police officers to help youth who had personally experienced or witnessed domestic, physical and sexual violence or abuse.

Mayor Greg Williamson thanked the sponsors who had helped make the ball a record-breaking fundraiser with proceeds entering into GST territory.

Daily Mercury editor Rae Wilson accepting a thanks from the Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson for sponsoring the Mayor's Charity Ball which raised about $90,000 for two charity organisations. Picture: Heidi Petith

“We’re challenging that and if we sort that out, we’ll drag it onto the total and there’ll be another cheque coming,” Cr Williamson said.

Major sponsors included Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, Fergus, Uniform Solutions, DGH Engineering, Tropical Exposure, Envision Plastering and Construction, Pointglen Developments, North Queensland Bulk Ports as well as media partners Daily Mercury, 7 NEWS Mackay and Southern Cross Austereo’s Triple M.