A mad time was had by all!

It was a mad tea party with a rock ‘n’ roll twist that would have made the Mad Hatter himself proud. Three hundred and fifty guests of the Preston James Research Fund gathered at the Madhatter’s Ball on 16 February to raise money for life-saving respiratory research for children.

The scene is set for the Madhatter's Ball...

Guests were greeted by the Queen of Hearts, the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter.  After a drink to the wonderful music produced by the Sheldon College Jazz Ensemble, the guests were soon following the White Rabbit through the rabbit hole and into the Brisbane Sofitel Grand Ballroom, recreated by Staging Connections to be a Wonderland fantasy.

Large trees, mushrooms and a chequered dance floor set the scene while the Band of Blue rocked the Ballroom with a mix of 80’s classics.

The elegant Amanda Fitzgerald compered the night with style and grace while Ambassador Grant Hackett popped in on the big screen to lend his support. 

On the guest list were two young princesses celebrating their first Ball – Noelle Steele-Alston, Preston’s older sister and Imogen Oulton, Australia’s youngest lung transplant recipient.

Imogen Oulton and Noelle Steele-Alston enjoy a night of fun with the White Rabbit

Guest auctioneer John Creswick delivered an exiting live action while the competition for the silent auctions kept everyone guessing the winners until they closed at 10:30 pm.

Guests celebrated life by dancing away the last hour to the Band of Blue who showed the depth of musical talent in our Queensland Police Service.

It was a mad success for respiratory research!!

Approximately $100,000 was raised through auctions, ticket sales and donations.

The Preston James Research Fund is comprised of volunteers including accountants and solicitors who donate their expertise to the Fund.  Because of this, 100% of donations received are applied directly to respiratory research programs.