A very special feature on this year’s RE/MAX Australia annual awards gala at Sheraton Mirage on the Gold Coast was a unique Make-A-Wish Australia fundraiser.
RE/MAX is proud to support Make-A-Wish , the charity that makes the wishes of children and teenagers battling life-threatening medical conditions come true.
This year, for the first time, one of the items up for auction was particularly precious. One would even say priceless!
It was the chance to make a 14-year-old boy’s dream of a family holiday come true.
A keen South Hampton and Bronco’s fan, Kyle is battling muscular dystrophy.
His wish was for a family beach holiday at Hamilton Island, Queensland, where he could fly over the heart-shaped reef; and his story had been introduced to RE/MAX members by Make-A-Wish Australia Board Member and passionate volunteer of more than ten years, Ian Shaw, at the Rally early in the day.
There was an amazing feeling in the Grand Ballroom as the bids started to come in, but when Auctioneer of the Year Greg Parker’s hammer fell at a bid of $10,000, the capacity crowd rose to its feet with thunderous applause.
Two offices, RE/MAX Advantage in Wynnum and RE/MAX Regency in Robina, had helped to make a wish come true in the most remarkable way – by coming together with a co-bid. This was another first for RE/MAX Australia’s charity auctions in support of Make-A-Wish.
Two other items were auctioned, raising another $2475 for Make-A-Wish. These were a Fastback 9 Binding Machine and a GBC 3256 Laminator, both donated by the generous Neopost. The successful bidders were respectively RE/MAX Colonial at Annerley and (once again) RE/MAX Regency.
Note: Ironically, on the Saturday immediately following the charity auction, the Courier Mail featured Heart Reef in a travel story, which explained that the only way to see the ‘love heart’ was by air – with the pilot dropping to just 150 metres to give a bird’s eye view. We’re sure Kyle is going to love the awesome experience!