Lunch to support domestic violence and bushfire victims

A limited number of tickets are still available for a February 14 luncheon in Brisbane to raise nearly $300,000 to fund the building of a shelter providing accommodation, food and protection for survivors of domestic violence in the British Virgin Islands. Twenty dollars from each ticket sold will also be donated to Australian bushfire relief.

AIS Water CEO Elena Gosse will be guest speaker at the Shelter for a Cause event organised by business networking group, Business Chicks.

Gosse says that the shelter will make a world of difference to the lives of many women and children.

“I was fortunate enough to attend a business trip to Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands at the end of 2018 with Business Chicks and then again in 2019 and we were humbled to hear from some local women who were trying to re-build their lives after the devastating 2017 Hurricane Irma,” she says.

“On top of the trauma of the hurricane, these women were also survivors of domestic violence and told us what others in that position need the most is a safe place.

“The total cost of building the refuge is $US385,000 and with one private donor already chipping in $100,000, we know we can reach the target and perhaps even exceed it allowing us to help even more women and children.”

Fighting domestic violence

Gosse has a long-established history of working to help women escape domestic violence situations.

Last year she was named the All-Star Fundraising Champion for her involvement with Dancing CEOs which raises money for Women’s Legal Service Queensland, an organisation dedicated to providing free legal advice for those escaping domestic and family violence. She broke the all-time fundraising record with $83,832 topping up her 2017 fundraising tally of more than $24,000.

The Shelter for a Cause luncheon will be held at the Calile Hotel in Fortitude Valley, 14 February 2020 between 11.30am and 2.30pm.

Attendees will enjoy canapés, a two-course lunch and three-hour beverage package. There will also be more than $10,000 in prizes and silent auction items to be won.

Tickets are $165 or $1500 for a table of 10.

$20 from each ticket will be donated to Australian bushfire relief.