Masquerade Ball Raises Over $20,000 for Age-Friendly Communities

Wollongong's business, community and care sectors dug deep at last months Neverland masquerade ball, raising $22,230 to help the IRT Foundation continue its work creating age-friendly communities.

More than 200 guests attended the stunning black tie event at the City Beach Function Centre, where they danced the night away to high energy jazz/rock band, The Baker Boys. Guests gave generously to the Foundation through ticket sales, a silent auction, raffles and donations.

"This is a tremendous effort by the Foundation's Corporate Partners, colleagues and friends," said IRT Group Chief Executive, Nieves Murray.

"The Illawarra business community donated thousands of dollars in prizes for the night, including a VIP courtside experience at a Wollongong Hawks game," she said.

"The money raised will go directly to our community grants, education and advocacy, and research programs.

"These programs are designed to deliver collaborative solutions to issues affecting the lives of older Australians, such as workforce participation, social isolation, and chronic health problems," said Ms Murray.

The funds will also be used to support the Age-Friendly Illawarra Alliance co-founded by IRT Foundation and Edmiston Jones GBB.

"The Alliance is on a mission to make the Illawarra Shoalhaven the world's first Age-Friendly Region in the World Health Organisation's Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Community," Ms Murray said.

"It was heartening to see so much support for age-friendly communities at Friday's ball.

"We thank the ball's Corporate Partners; BaiMed, Cancer Council NSW, CMG Audio Visual, Commonwealth Bank, MMJ Wollongong and RMB Lawyers, and all the businesses who donated prizes for helping us to achieve this goal," she said.

Click here to find out more about the IRT Group's retirement communities.

For more information on IRT Foundation or to donate, go to: www.irtfoundation.org.au.