Managing Director Lisa Aitken wanted to thank the Sunshine Coast community for its ongoing support in the firm’s 20th year, so she hosted a charity ball.
The founder of Aitken Legal marked the 20th anniversary with the comedy Giggle Ball in Caloundra at the weekend, and in the process surpassed $1 million in funds raised for Sunshine Coast charities.
The Sunshine Coast community came together on Saturday, 21 February, at the sold-out Giggle Ball raising more than $150,000 to support SunnyKids’ Transitional Housing Project for women and children escaping domestic and family violence.
Aitken Legal, an employment law firm, has hosted the Giggle Ball and other charitable initiatives for two decades, raising funds exclusively for local causes.
Ms Aitken, described as a quiet achiever, said reaching the 20-year milestone made this year’s event particularly meaningful.
“The Giggle Ball has always been about bringing people together for a great night while making a genuine difference locally,” she said.
“What resonates so strongly about SunnyKids is the practical, compassionate support they provide to women and children at their most vulnerable.
“They are not just responding to crisis – they are walking alongside families as they rebuild their lives.
“If I can use my connections within the legal and business communities to help create safer futures for those families, then that is something I feel genuinely compelled to do.
“To celebrate 20 years of Aitken Legal, by supporting SunnyKids once again, and to see the community respond so generously, is incredibly rewarding.
“Knowing these funds will directly help women and children find safety and stability makes every effort worthwhile.
“I would like to thank our sponsors, donors, entertainers and attendees, whose support ensured that event costs were covered and maximum funds could be directed to SunnyKids’ vital work.”
The Giggle Ball is held about every two to three years with a different local charity chosen for each event.
While the firm will host another anniversary event for supporters and clients to celebrate the milestone in March, Ms Aitken said it was “perfect timing” to host the Giggle Ball in this milestone year, which was official in January.
The Queensland firm’s long-standing philanthropic commitment has directly contributed to SunnyKids with total support for the project now exceeding $250,000. Aitken Legal also hosted a charity golf day late last year.
SunnyKids Chief Executive Officer Kathleen Hope said the impact of the Giggle Ball would be felt well beyond Saturday night.
“The generosity shown at the Giggle Ball translates directly into safety, dignity and hope for women and children at one of the most vulnerable points in their lives,” Ms Hope said.
“Transitional housing is a critical missing link between crisis accommodation and a permanent home. Thanks to Aitken Legal and the broader community, more families will have access to safe, stable housing when they need it most.”
The funds raised across the two events brings the completion of the final three townhouses in SunnyKids’ transitional housing development firmly within reach.
The Transitional Housing Project provides safe, short-term accommodation for women and children who are leaving violent environments and have nowhere else to go.
The program offers more than shelter – it gives stability, security and wrap-around support, so families have the time and space they need to rebuild their lives and move toward long-term independence.
Ms Aitken said the Sunshine Coast community had been amazing to her since she opened the firm and she wanted to replay its generosity by organising and supporting fundraising events. She relocated to the Sunshine Coast with three children under five years.
“The Sunshine Coast community and businesses have been a wonderful and giving community,” she said.
“I wanted to play my part. When I realised how close we were to raising $1 million, I thought ‘let’s make this happen’. It has been good to hit this target and I am very happy with the money raised net of costs.”
The last Giggle Ball raised $141,000 for endED, a charity supporting people and their families with eating disorders.
Over the past two decades, Aitken Legal has raised more than $290,000 from this event and other beneficiaries have included Bloomhill Cancer Care, Sunshine Butterflies and the local branches of Montrose Access and Camp Quality.
Ms Aitken has been practising employment law since 1994. She opened Aitken Legal on the Sunshine Coast in January 2006, after working for more than 11 years as a lawyer practising in human resources and industrial relations law at Minter Ellison Lawyers in Sydney and Brisbane.
“Community involvement and giving back to our community is important to us and we are proactive in supporting local initiatives,” she said.
“We are proactive about helping our community and believe that every contribution, no matter how small, can have a positive effect and make a difference to someone’s life or lives. To be able to help with that, means a lot to all in our team.”
Since 2009, Aitken Legal has provided pro bono employment law advice to the Sunshine Coast Health Foundation (Wishlist).
Staff provide free employment law training seminars/webinars bimonthly to local businesses to help them meet workplace obligations.
Ms Aitken opened a Gold Coast office in 2011 and a Melbourne office in 2021.
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