Masquerade fun to support community

Hedlanders will have the opportunity to dress up and support their community, thanks to a charity masquerade ball hosted by a dedicated local.

When she noticed a gap within community funding for the less fortunate, Charlene Peters and her husband created the Charity Ball Masquerade to raise funds for a Christmas lunch for those in need.

A self-proclaimed community-oriented individual, Ms Peters moved to Port Hedland in 2013 and said helping her community was what made her most happy.

“I thought I need to get out and give back to the community,” she said.

“I think money and funds have dried up, the community is hurting. There’s nobody now to support or make donations, so what you do is self fund it and this (the masquerade ball) is our way of funding the Christmas lunch.”

The funds raised from the ball will go towards the Hedland Women’s Refuge and organising the Christmas lunch for families around Hedland who cannot afford to have their own Christmas.

“Last year, we gave out 80 presents and we had over 180 people for the Christmas lunch,” Ms Peters said.

“It was a fantastic event and we cannot wait to see how it unfolds this year.”

Each year, Ms Peters and her husband also choose a local charity to donate funds to and this year they have chosen SAFE.

“They do a fantastic job and I try to pick charities that are struggling and not getting funding from elsewhere,” she said.

The ball will include a buffet dinner at the Walkabout Hotel where guests will have champagne on arrival, have a chance to win prizes as well as be serenaded by an eight-piece band.

To purchase a ticket or volunteer, contact Charlene on 0417 464 448.