IT only took three minutes and all 570 tickets were snapped up for this year’s White Elephant Winter Ball.
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The ball is now in its third year and is a fundraiser for Batyr, an organisation which aims to educate and engage people to have positive conversations and awareness of mental health issues.
This year’s ball will be held at the Bishop Peter Chiswell Hall, at Calrossy’s William Cowper Campus, on Saturday, June 25 and will be accompanied by a charity rugby match with ticket holders receiving free entry to the Pirates vs Narrabri firs- grade game.
This year’s theme is A Touch of Asia and follows on from last year’s African theme, with both continents featuring the elephant –Batyr’s symbol.
In its three years, the Tamworth community has raised almost $200,000 for the organisation.
“We continue to be amazed, inspired and grateful for the wonderful community support we continue to receive,” event organiser Katrina Campbell said.
“The ball raises funds and awareness for Batyr, a youth mental health charity that aims to smash the stigma around mental health and start a conversation, encouraging more people to reach out and seek help.
“The national help-seeking rate stands at around 25 per cent – far too low – and generally understood to be even lower in regional areas.
“After surveying young people who have seen a Batyr program, we can measure that the number would be around 72 per cent likely to reach out for help.”
In the 18 months Batyr has been operating in the region, the charity has spoken to more than 2000 young people across schools in Tamworth and Armidale, as well as the University of New England.
“We know that we’ve touched and changed lives, through the feedback we receive. Young people have thanked us for letting them know they are not alone in their journeys with mental illness.
“Some have sought help after seeing a Batyr program, and many have said how they have been inspired and touched by the programs and hope to talk more openly about the previously taboo topic,” Mrs Campbell said.
The event is sponsored by Challenge Community Services, but more donations of prizes and sponsorship are welcome.
To donate please email whiteelephantball@gmail.com