Brisbane Ray White agent Sonya Treloar is hosting her second annual charity event for Hummingbird House on 25 September, aiming to match last year’s result of $104,000 raised from 200 guests.
The event supports Queensland’s only dedicated children’s hospice, which provides paediatric palliative care, respite and end-of-life support for terminally ill children and their families.
For Sonya, the cause is personal. In 1996, while living in regional Bundaberg, she lost her premature baby boy, Blake, at just six weeks old at Mater Mothers’ Hospital. At the time, there was no facility like Hummingbird House to support her family through the loss.
“My darling son Blake was born premature. He lived six weeks and then went to heaven,” Sonya said.
“I never had an opportunity to spend time with him at a fabulous facility like Hummingbird House.
“The day that he died, I said goodbye and they took him away. Having time to grieve, to hold them, and to be with them after they’ve passed is so important to be able to say your goodbyes properly.”
This year’s event will feature guest speakers and stories shared by families who have been supported by Hummingbird House.
Sonya said last year’s event had struck a chord with guests who had experienced similar loss.
“I’ve had so many requests from guests who attended last year saying we have to do it bigger and better,” she said.
“I even received a letter from a lovely family whose baby went to heaven on September 25 last year.
“They want to be in the room to celebrate what Hummingbird House did for them and their family during such a difficult and sad time. That is why this work matters so much.”
Tickets to the 25 September event are available here.