COULD this be the most successful fundraising committee in Canberra?

The group of eight women know how to host a party and are the force behind the Hats and Gloves High Tea, an event aimed at assisting schools for children with special needs.

Now in its fifth year, what started out as afternoon tea at Government House for about 70 people has become one of the highlights of the social calendar for ladies who lunch.

To be held for the first time at Gandal Hall, this year,organisers are aiming to raise $150,000 – a significant increase on the $30,000 that was raised in the event’s first year.

The committee members are Kylie Krinas, a mum of four who works for SAP and is the co-owner of children’s store Wolfie; Belinda Notaras, who has four sons and is co-owner of Caphs Restaurant and Wolfie; renowned milliner Christine Waring, who also has four children and volunteers at Malkara school; Anne Dunstan, a mother of three, who is on the Cranleigh P&C; Nadia Sullivan, a mum of two, who is also a teacher at Canberra Boys Grammar; Ros Kewley, who has one son and works fulltime for KBR; Sehida Frawley, a mum of three who works for SAP and Tarni Greenberger, who also works for SAP.

Kylie Krinas says the group has been friends for some years.

“In the weeks leading up to the Hats and Gloves event we are all frantic and sleep deprived… juggling families, work commitments and the demands of pulling an event of this size together. We all enjoy the time together and have a ball doing it,” she says.

“It’s a great cause and it makes such a difference to so many beautiful children and their families and that means everything to us. To know we make a difference makes it all worthwhile.”

This year’s Hats and Gloves will be held on March 21, with every dollar from ticket sales and money spent on the day going to Cranleigh school.

“This year, the aim will be to raise money primarily for the Cranleigh School, which provides an early intervention and preschool program for children with developmental delays, as well as a primary school program for students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities,” Kylie says.

“Many students have associated sensory, communication impairment or a physical disability.”

The funds raised will be used to build an outdoor learning space, easily accessible from the classroom, for children with high support needs and children with autism. This will also allow children, including those in wheelchairs, access to the Liberty swing and outside playground.

With such a rapid growth in the success of the event and the amount of money raised, Kylie says they are working towards establishing a foundation that will enable the committee to raise money for all the schools in Canberra that provide education and support to children with special needs.

Tickets are $145 and can be purchased from hatsandgloves.com.au