The brainchild of friends Rachael Taylor, Kerry Lee Charlton and Sarah Fraser, the Mid Winter Ball will be held on Saturday, July 23 from 7pm at Wingatui Hall. There will be live music from Idol Frets, dance demonstrations, canapés, bargain prices and refreshments.
Ms. Taylor, who lives in Mosgiel, is passionate about supporting St. John, acknowledging the ambulance service that she has saved her life on many occasions.
Living with a condition that causes symptoms akin to anaphylactic shock (extreme allergic reaction), she’s an ambulance “frequent flyer.”
“There are times when I literally count on them to keep me alive – I can’t stress enough how important they are.
“They see people having the worst times in their lives, and they’re so nice, they make you feel safe and cared for.”
Although the government announced an additional $166.1 million in funding for ambulance services in New Zealand over four years, Ms Taylor said more funding was urgently needed.
“That’s why every cent of the profit we make from the winter ball goes to St. John,” she said.
Wingatui Hall, with its wooden dance floor and beautiful interior, would be an ideal venue for the prom, said Ms. Taylor. The hall is also accessible to everyone.
The Mid Winter Ball would hark back to the popular Joe Brown’s Dances at Dunedin Town Hall from the 1930s to the 1960s, she said.
“We encourage people to dress in any era and come along for a very special evening,” she said.
“We’ve tried to take everything into account, so the great Idol Frets will play from ballroom to rock’n’roll.
“The locals of Mosgiel are very good at supporting events, we have a contingent of rock’n’roll dancers departing from Dunedin and we have people from all over the south joining us.
“The more the merrier.”
This includes members of the avid pin-up and vintage style community.
Representatives from St John in Dunedin and Mosgiel would also be there in the evening and share information about the service, she said.
In addition to ticket sales, the ball will raise money for St John through raffles, with prizes worth $2,000, many sponsored by local businesses.
Local hair and makeup experts Emma Keightly and Tina McAuliffe will be offering a “Hot Rollers and Hairpins” session in a back room in Wingatui Hall during the day of the prom that can be booked in advance.
For tickets see Facebook or email [email protected]†