Australian Idol’s Ricki-Lee urges region to support RMHC at yearly gala

With 400 guests turning up to support the effort, the Ronald McDonaold House Charity of North Australia’s 18th Annual Gala has blown past expectations, with the silent auction raising ‘significantly more’ than last year’s venture.

RMHC North Australia. Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia Gala dinner held at the Townsville Entertainment centre.Guest artist for the night was Ricki-Lee Coulter and the 1RAR band also performing.

With 400 guests turning up to support the effort, the Ronald McDonaold House Charity of North Australia’s 18th Annual Gala has blown past expectations, with the silent auction raising ‘significantly more’ than last year’s venture.

The charity, which held its gala at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre, didn’t have an exact final figure - with counting still ongoing as of Monday afternoon - but a spokeswoman was able to confirm that they had beat last year’s total.

The event - the largest fundraiser in the organisation’s calendar - featured Australian pop icon Ricki-Lee Coulter as the headlining performer, who spurred those in attendance to donate.

RMHC North Australia. Ronald McDonald House Charities North Australia Gala dinner held at the Townsville Entertainment centre. Guest artist for the night was Ricki Lee Coulter and the 1RAR band also performing. The Pacific Islands International group.

“I first visited a Ronald McDonald House on my first season of Idol and the impact of that day has stayed with me ever since,” Ms Coulter said.

“You know the good that this charity does, let’s raise a bucketload to help families when they need it most.”
Premier David Crisafulli, who was not in attendance but sent a message of support, thanked the charity for its efforts in supporting families like Katie Moss and Steven Phineasa, who were supported by the RMHC while their son was rushed to Townsville from Cairns after contracting Meningococcal disease.

The illness resulted in him becoming a quadruple amputee while he was still only five months old.
“We were at the House for 169 nights and what we saw — not just for us, but for every family there — was that without the support from Ronald McDonald House Charities, we would have been lost. It is a home away from home,” Ms Moss said.

Originally published as Australian Idol’s Ricki-Lee urges region to support RMHC at yearly gala