By Charlene Macaulay
Werribee Mansion’s The Refectory was transformed into a winter wonderland earlier this month for the Wyndham Business and Tourism Association’s latest fundraising extravanganza.
A fire twirler, an ice queen on stilts, tango demonstration and swing band The Pearly Shells entertained ball-goers at the WBTA’s annual Winter Wonderland Ball.
Under the guidance of YPA auctioneer James Risos, the charity auction broke a fundraising record, bringing in $8108.
Money raised from the auction has been directed to the Cousins Crusade Appeal, set up to support three children from Wyndham’s Tantaro family who were all born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a hereditary – and fatal – condition.
The money will be used to fund overseas treatments not available in Australia.
Members of the Tantaro family attended the night and grandmother Sue said she was overwhelmed by the support.
“We were very grateful,” Ms Tantaro said.
Organiser Tonia Tribe said the WBTA chose to direct funds to the family after reading about their plight in Star Weekly.
“We felt we could make an immediate and genuine difference to the family,” she said.
“No one could read that story and not be touched by what’s going to happen.”
