Mark HUghes Foundation

Magic Ball

Our Famous Magic Ball

Our MHF Magic Ball is one of the most sought after tickets in town, and has grown into one of the most anticipated Black tie gala events in the Hunter region annually. Featuring premium cuisine and wines, high calibre entertainment, captivating themes, celebrity MCs, and prestigious auction items, it promises an unforgettable evening, all dedicated to supporting MHF patients and their families while driving crucial research into brain cancer. Mark your calendars for the 8th MHF Magic Ball, set to grace NEX, Newcastle, on August 17, 2024.

For enquiries regarding Corporate sponsorship opportunities for this event please contact: events@markhughesfoundation.com.au

2023 Magic Ball

The NEX – Newcastle Exhibition & Convention Centre was transformed into the Boulevard de Clichy, Paris for a night at the Moulin Rouge! It was a night full of glitz and grandeur with our generous guests making it our best Magic Ball yet!

Thank you to everyone that joined us in raising an incredible $273,718

Thank you to Matt Kelson Photography, Blueberry Events, Scion AudioandEvents, Toybox Films, Love Glows, Luxe Diamond Dolls, The White Tree, Strut & Fret, Jennings Print, CactusCreative Emma Lawrence from Channel 9 and our tireless MHF volunteers for their valuable contribution in making the night such a huge success!

We couldn’t do it without our amazing Gold Sponsors Australian Hotels Association – Newcastle Hunter, Dr Gary Avery – Avery Plastic Surgery, The MacDougall Foundation as well as our Silver and Bronze Sponsors for being by our side as we continue our fight to tackle brain cancer.

2022 Magic Ball

The ballroom of NEX, Newcastle was transformed into a winter wonderland on Saturday 27 August to celebrate the 6th MHF Magic Ball, the first since 2019! As 600 guests filled the room the night begun with a bang! A drop curtain revealed three acrobats on stage in a giant water bowl performing to a string quartet!

Our beautiful MC, Emma Lawrence, then started the formal proceedings and sat down with Mark and Kirralee for a chat about the foundations humble beginnings and how far we have come.

The night finished up with the dance floor full and the announcement of an incredible $224,741 raised!!

We would like to thank our Gold sponsors ScaffBuilt Solutions, AHA Hunter & Newcastle and The Man Shake as well as our Silver and Bronze sponsors, Corporate Partners and Beverage Partners.

2019 Magic Ball

The ballroom of NEX, Newcastle was transformed into a winter wonderland on Saturday 27 August to celebrate the 6th MHF Magic Ball, the first since 2019! As 600 guests filled the room the night begun with a bang! A drop curtain revealed three acrobats on stage in a giant water bowl performing to a string quartet!

Our beautiful MC, Emma Lawrence, then started the formal proceedings and sat down with Mark and Kirralee for a chat about the foundations humble beginnings and how far we have come.

The night finished up with the dance floor full and the announcement of an incredible $224,741 raised!!

We would like to thank our Gold sponsors ScaffBuilt Solutions, AHA Hunter & Newcastle and The Man Shake as well as our Silver and Bronze sponsors, Corporate Partners and Beverage Partners.

2018 Magic Ball

August 18 2018 was The Greatest Show! Peter Overton was our MC for the night and we enjoyed dazzling performances from signer Sheldon Riley and magician Sam Powers!

We raised an amazing $223,000 for brain cancer research.

2017 Magic Ball

The 2017 Magic Ball was held August 19 at NEX. Dr Chris Brown and Natalia Cooper hosted the evening which saw an old boys reunion and welcomed NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer Round pioneers, Matt Callendar and Glenn Pallister.

$215,000 was raised to help us in the fight against brain cancer!

2016 Magic Ball

Mark Hughes Foundation Ball was held on August 20th at Newcastle Exhibition and Convention Centre. Dr Chris Brown was again an amazing MC with Chief & Brendan Fevola added to the buzz in the room after their appearance on I’m a Celebrity… Get me out of here!

What a night with $200,000 being raised!

2015 Magic Ball

The first ever MHF Magic Ball was held on August 15 at Wests Leagues Club. The evening was compered by Dr Chris Brown with special appearances by brothers Matty and Andrew Johns.

We are extremely proud to have raised over $100,000!

Mark Hughes Foundation Major Events

Beating brain cancer will take the power of your support.

Community fundraising helps us raise vital funds to support brain cancer patients, raise awareness about brain cancer and raise funds for research to find a cure. We have now made it even easier for you to support us.

NRL Round

NRL Round

One of the highlights on the National Rugby League calendar is the annual NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer Round, which invites the wider rugby league community to join the Mark Hughes Foundation on their quest to tackle brain cancer.

Read More

Magic Ball

Magic Ball

Our MHF Magic Ball is one of the most sought after tickets in town, and has grown into one of the most anticipated Black tie gala events in the Hunter region annually. Featuring premium cuisine and wines, high calibre entertainment, captivating themes, celebrity MCs, and prestigious auction items, it promises an unforgettable evening, all dedicated to supporting MHF patients and their families while driving crucial research into brain cancer. Mark your calendars for the 8th MHF Magic Ball, set to grace NEX, Newcastle, on August 17, 2024.

Read More

Adventure Treks

Adventure Treks

During the early afternoon hours of Christmas Day in 2015 one of Marks great mates, Billy Peden, decided he wanted to make a difference! He called Paul ‘Chief’ Harragon that afternoon and the MHF Adventure Treks were born. At the time, neither of them would have realised that this was the start of what would become an annual life changing event raising millions of dollars for the Mark Hughes Foundation. Since 2016, there have been eight adventure treks all around the world raising over $3.5 million so far to support brain cancer patients and their families.

Read More

Beanie For Brain Cancer

Beanie For Brain Cancer

When my wife Kirralee and I set up the Mark Hughes Foundation we wanted to make a difference, and make a difference fast! When you live with brain cancer you really appreciate how precious time is. We have to make every minute count. We wanted to raise money for research – FAST. Kiz suggested we sell beanies as a lot of brain cancer patients wear beanies to cover scars, bandages, loss of hair and just to keep warm. Thus "Beanie for Brain Cancer" was born in 2014.

Read More

MHF Major Events

Beating brain cancer will take the power of your support.

Community fundraising helps us raise vital funds to support brain cancer patients, raise awareness about brain cancer and raise funds for research to find a cure. We have now made it even easier for you to support us.

Beanie For Brain Cancer

Beanie For Brain Cancer

When my wife Kirralee and I set up the Mark Hughes Foundation we wanted to make a difference, and make a difference fast! When you live with brain cancer you really appreciate how precious time is. We have to make every minute count. We wanted to raise money for research – FAST. Kiz suggested we sell beanies as a lot of brain cancer patients wear beanies to cover scars, bandages, loss of hair and just to keep warm. Thus "Beanie for Brain Cancer" was born in 2014.

Read More

Adventure Treks

Adventure Treks

During the early afternoon hours of Christmas Day in 2015 one of Marks great mates, Billy Peden, decided he wanted to make a difference! He called Paul ‘Chief’ Harragon that afternoon and the MHF Adventure Treks were born. At the time, neither of them would have realised that this was the start of what would become an annual life changing event raising millions of dollars for the Mark Hughes Foundation. Since 2016, there have been eight adventure treks all around the world raising over $3.5 million so far to support brain cancer patients and their families.

Read More

Magic Ball

Magic Ball

Our MHF Magic Ball is one of the most sought after tickets in town, and has grown into one of the most anticipated Black tie gala events in the Hunter region annually. Featuring premium cuisine and wines, high calibre entertainment, captivating themes, celebrity MCs, and prestigious auction items, it promises an unforgettable evening, all dedicated to supporting MHF patients and their families while driving crucial research into brain cancer. Mark your calendars for the 8th MHF Magic Ball, set to grace NEX, Newcastle, on August 17, 2024.

Read More

NRL Round

NRL Round

One of the highlights on the National Rugby League calendar is the annual NRL Beanie for Brain Cancer Round, which invites the wider rugby league community to join the Mark Hughes Foundation on their quest to tackle brain cancer.

Read More

Donate today & help beat brain cancer

Brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in children, and adults aged under 40 in Australia, yet alarmingly very little is known about brain cancer, its causes or how it is treated.

That’s why we need your help. Every dollar helps in the fight against brain cancer. Your donation will go towards vital research to improve patient treatments and, hopefully, find a cure one day.

All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

Donate today, help beat brain cancer

Brain cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in children, and adults aged under 40 in Australia, yet alarmingly very little is known about brain cancer, its causes or how it is treated.

That’s why we need your help. Every dollar helps in the fight against brain cancer. Your donation will go towards vital research to improve patient treatments and, hopefully, find a cure one day.

All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.

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