Jingle & Mingle – RCD Christmas Market

The RCD Christmas Market was like walking in a winter wonderland… just without snow. And by all accounts that’s pretty impressive in the Australian summer.

The RCD executives and their team of elves were determined. We wanted to match, if not surpass the incredible success of 2013. With the help of the tireless recruits of Liz’s Workshop, some bighearted donations, and a touch of magic, we were able to outdo ourselves by raising X!

With everything from handcrafted decorations, jewelry, cards, trinkets, goodie jars, the artwork of Peter Ferrier, a silent auction, to our very own nursery, Bayside was treated to a parade of goods to serve anyone’s festive needs – all in the name of brain matters.

PeterFerrierArt

This joyous event was concluded again with a cocktail party. A live auction and entertainment made for an exciting evening – but the highlight of the merry affair was one incredibly strong and beautiful little girl: Pippa Rea. Pippa continues to fight an aggressive brain cancer as Connor did, and she has always had a special connection to the fund. Pippa, along with her family, were our guests of honour, and in her mothers words, it was a very special evening:

‘Nothing had really prepared us for the warmth and love that greeted us; the welcome we received from people who knew us but didn’t know us. We were literally taken into the embrace and hearts of strangers who made us feel like friends… it was an extraordinarily humbling and beautiful evening.’  – Virginia Rea*

RCD Fund - ChristmasParty - Pippa

Of course, Santa would have no workshop if it weren’t for his elves. In the words of Patch Clapp, the Vice-Head Elf himself, they all deserve the appropriate recognition:

‘Elves’ is the perfect descriptor for the volunteers; they put in an enormous amount of work before the market, and are there on hand to help whomever and however they can during the event,’ Patch said.

‘They are a crucial element of the team, and more importantly, they are loved and remembered by everyone who comes to the market.’

 

*Virginia Rea – quoted from her raw and inspiring blog – https://pipparea.wordpress.com/