The event has grown to become the signature Gala charity event for Cerebral Palsy Alliance and one of the most successful fundraising events in Australia, raising over $17.5 million since its first event in 1994.
Centred on a relaxing and fun filled weekend at the Cypress Lakes Resort in NSW Hunter Valley, this event has now become the “not to be missed event” in the calendar of the major players across the media and entertainment industries in Australia.
The event spans across the entire weekend from March 12 – 14. Due to COVID-19 public health orders and government restrictions, Escape! 2021 will be an adults only event. Unfortunately, we can’t include children due to strict rules on social distancing and seating. We are continually monitoring public health orders to ensure our event is covid-safe.
This year all funds raised from the event will go towards research and creating awareness of cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common cause of cerebral palsy.
Pregnant women with young children are at increased risk of CMV, with toddlers and preschoolers prone to catching and transmitting the virus to their mothers. Congenital CMV can be life-threatening.
Almost 2000 babies are born with the herpes-like virus every year. Roughly 400 will develop physical or intellectual disabilities including deafness, blindness, microcephaly (small head and brain), cerebral palsy and epilepsy.
Current Australian clinical guidelines don’t recommend routinely advising pregnant women about the risks of CMV and how they can protect themselves against it, which is why we need urgent funding to enable us to create urgent awareness and raise critical funds into lowering transmission.
This year we have strictly limited capacity, so we’d encourage you to confirm your place early.
For more information you can view this year’s event program, or download our event overview & team sponsorship package.