UQ Business School were the major sponsor of this year’s Preston James Fund Ball which raised $70,000 for the care of critically ill children at the Mater Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Held at Victoria Park Golf Course and hosted by celebrity accountant and Investec Loyal Yacht Skipper, Anthony Bell, the gala was one of Brisbane's most glitzy yet important social events of the year.

With the proceeds raised on the night, the Preston James Fund will be purchasing and donating a piece of equipment used for kidney dialysis. The Gambro® Prismaflex System will provide an advanced level of patient safety and efficiency when dealing with children with severe kidney failure.

In addition, a special mattress used to treat pressure injuries will also be purchased. Children in the Mater Paediatric Intensive Care Unit are at a very high risk of developing these particular types of injuries due to their limited mobility.

UQ Business School’s support for the event was in line with its strong focus on corporate social responsibility. Dean of UQ Business School, Andrew Griffiths said, “At UQ Business School we recognise our responsibility not just to students and stakeholders but also to society at large,” he said.

“We believe in actively engaging with community organisations to give something back. We applaud the work of the Preston James Fund in helping to save children’s lives.”

The Preston James Fund was established after founder Mary Steele lost her son Preston to complications following a bout of pneumonia. She wanted to ensure that other families would have the support required to care for their children if they become critically ill. The Preston James Fund now supports life-saving initiatives for the intensive care unit at the Mater Children’s Hospital.

Mary Steele said, “We’re delighted to have UQ Business School on board with our fundraising initiatives. The generous donations have truly made a difference to critically ill children through the Preston James Fund”.

Proceeds on the night were raised through silent and live auctions, ticket and raffle sales, plus individual donations.

About UQ Business School

The University of Queensland Business School is independently ranked as one of the top business schools in Australia and amongst the leading institutions worldwide. Based in Brisbane, it brings together over 130 subject experts with over 7,000 students and offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs and executive education across the range of business disciplines.

UQ Business School is renowned internationally for the quality of its research and also provides contract research and consultancy services to organisations throughout the world. The teaching – research – consultancy loop is central to its success, ensuring that the school maintains its position at the forefront of academic knowledge while staying closely attuned to modern business requirements. For further information see www.business.uq.edu.au

Fast facts

• UQ Business School was the first in Australia to meet the standards of the world’s two most influential accrediting bodies - the US-based AACSB International and Europe’s EQUIS.
• It is ranked in the world’s top 50 universities for executive education by the Financial Times.
• Its MBA program is rated in the top 50 worldwide by The Economist and in the top two in Australia by the AFR’s BOSS Magazine.
• The MBA course has been awarded the highest possible rating of five stars for seven years running by Australia’s most influential rating body, the GMAA.
• The school was classed as above world standard in its 4 major fields of business research in the Australian government’s ERA assessment