Ipswich Hospice Care general manager Paul Brew and MasterChef Nicole Stevenson at Main Street, Springfield Central.
MasterChefs Nicole Stevenson and Ben Ungermann will make their way to Main Street as part of a major fundraiser for a much-loved Ipswich charity.
The Ipswich born and bred members of MasterChef 2017 will be on hand to meet and greet guests, serve canapés and share their stories.
“I feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to take part in MasterChef, not many people get to do that and I really enjoy giving back as much as I can,” Ms Stevenson said.
“My brother spent time volunteering with hospice so I have an appreciation and understanding of what they do in the Ipswich community.
“It’s an incredibly important organisation to support.”
Ipswich Hospice Care general manager Paul Brew said the dinner would provide a new opportunity to help hospice raise some of the $1m a year it needed to continue operating.
“We receive half of our annual funding from the state and federal governments but on top of that we need to find an additional $1m year in, year out,” he said.
“Hospice has always been well supported by the Ipswich community and that’s a testament to the high level of service that we provide.
“Hospice itself is a seven-bed palliative care facility but we also offer support and counselling through the neighbouring Hilda’s House.”
Mr Brew said the Jacaranda Dinner would include a five-course mini degustation menu prepared by Jason Davidson and the team from Figjam, paired wines, live entertainment and a host of raffles and auctions.
“As much as we like to receive donations and support we also like to give back to the community – that’s what the dinner is all about,” he said.
“We want to showcase hospice and celebrate our success and our services. We have an amazing team of staff and of course our 150 volunteers who do so much for us.
“Having Nicole and Ben along for the night ties in nicely with our holistic view of maintaining a healthy mind, body and soul.”
The 2018 Ipswich Hospice Jacaranda Dinner will be on Saturday, 28 April from 6pm at Main Street, Orion Springfield Central. Tickets are $155 per person. For bookings or more information go here or phone 3812 0063.
