PAYCE PLEDGE $10,000 FUNDRAISER TO AID FIJIAN HOSPITAL.

• DATE: October 15^th, 2015: Lilyfield NSW.

PAYCE on board as Major Sponsor of the Montessori Academy Gala Ball for Fijian Hospital Aid.

Leading Australian property developer PAYCE is the major sponsor for this year's Montessori Academy Annual Gala Ball, which will raise funds for the Ra Maternity Hospital on the Northern coast of Fiji's largest island, Viti Levu.

PAYCE has pledged a $10,000 diamond sponsorship to ensure the Montessori Academy fundraiser gets off to a great start. The organisers expect more than 400 guests to attend, and the function is expected to raise $30,000 - $60,000 on the night. The Ball will be held at Le Montage, Lilyfield on Friday 30 October 2015.

Ra Maternity Hospital is in urgent need of refurbishment and ongoing funding to improve the standard of local health care. The province of Rakiraki is considered the poorest of the 14 provinces in Fiji.

Brian Boyd - pledge of funds for medical aid to underprivileged mothers and children.

PAYCE Managing Director, Brian Boyd said: "PAYCE is proud to contribute to such a worthy cause, with the proceeds of the fundraiser going to the hospital to provide improved facilities, more medical supplies and birthing kits to assist new mothers."

Mr Boyd said the Academy's organising committee had done a fantastic job planning the special night, which includes a raffle and auction for a four night cruise around Fiji for two, a Maserati drive experience, an 18 carat pearl necklace, men's and ladies watches, a dinner cruise and accommodation packages at a Shoalhaven resort on the South Coast.

Entertainment on the night includes world renowned illusionist Sam Powers, singers Rosie Catalano, Monique Shippen, Mon-Ami, Rocco Bene, Kids of Leo and Carly Anne Evans. The MC for the night will be popular radio personality, Bianca Dye and DJ Neil Singleton will keep the music rolling out across the dance floor.

Brian Boyd said the Montessori Academy was to be applauded for choosing Ra Maternity Hospital as the beneficiary of this year's fundraiser.

"The hospital has been providing care to underprivileged women and children in the province for more than 45 years, but the ageing facility is now desperately in need of refurbishment and more supplies to allow the good work to continue," he said.

The hospital services the entire Ra province population of 32,000 and its services are in high demand. Over the past five years, more than 10,000 women have attended the facility, and 760 babies have been born. Presently it is staffed by seven nurses and continues to operate without a doctor or obstetrician and only one ambulance.

Improvements to health care of underprivileged local community.

PAYCE's General Manager, Dominic Sullivan added his congratulations to Montessori Academy on holding the fundraiser for such a worthwhile cause.

"At PAYCE, we are very pleased to pitch in to help improve the standard of health and the quality of life for the local communities serviced by the hospital," he said.

"In Australia, we have one of the best health care systems in the world, but clearly this is not the case in Rakiraki where underprivileged mothers and their children are at risk of a whole range of health issues.

"Being located in the northern most area of the island and away from the bigger centres such as Suva and Nadi, means there is a strong reliance on the hospital's ability to function effectively.

"With more than half the population in the province below the poverty line, the demand on the hospital's services would no doubt be high all year round.

Montessori Academy thanks to corporate sponsorship, enriching the lives of children in the Community.

Montessori Academy's General Manager for Centre Operations, Meray Parsons said: "It's great to see corporate sponsors such as PAYCE pledging their support towards the refurbishment of the hospital, which is such a worthy cause.

"These funds will go a long way to improve the conditions, supplies and treatment available to women in Rakiraki," she said.

"For people who have so little, this is an amazing contribution that will go on to enrich their entire community and the lives of so many children."

"We welcome the support of PAYCE and thank Brian Boyd and his company for their generosity," she said.