White Elephant Ball 2018 to be at Tamworth Town Hall in October

The fundraiser for mental health charity batyr, which is in its fifth year, is traditionally a winter ball, but this year it’ll be a spring soiree on October 6.

It’s also moving to the ritzy Tamworth Town Hall.

Chair of the White Elephant Ball Committee, Tayla Maloney, said the group wanted to evolve the fundraiser in to a bigger and better event.

“We wanted to shake it up a bit this year – we’ve got a change of venue, a change of catering and a change of band,” Ms Maloney said.

Since the ball has been up and running, batyr has been able to reach more than 5000 young people in the area and train 34 people to share their story in a way that helps others fighting mental health issues.

“The ball is the major fundraiser for batyr in this region, and it helps us to runs workshops at schools around the region,” Ms Maloney said.

“We train people to tell their stories with students, and put people in touch with local services where they can get help. It can be a life changing conversation for some. There’s also full-time worker at UNE, who assists with mental health programs.”

The committee has almost finished planning the event, but is still seeking raffle prize donations and sponsorships.

“Your donations are helping your community, supporting your region, your town and your young people,” Ms Maloney said.

“You’re directly helping people in your own backyard.”

To get involved, email tamworthwhiteelephant@gmail.com.