Psychologists hypothesise that we wear many ‘masks' in our everyday life, describing the various personalities we outwardly portray in our professional and private lives.

But for some, the masks they wear are literal – such as the children in Starship Children's Health hospital suffering from Batten Disease, who require an oxygen mask to breathe when their respiratory system fails.

It's fitting then that Briscoes and Rebel Sport Tauranga are asking the community to don their own masks in a Cure Kids Masquerade Ball, to fundraise and support those children living with Batten Disease.

Cure Kids funds research into better treatments and cures for a wide range of childhood illnesses including still birth, childhood cancers, rheumatic heart disease, asthma, mental health conditions and inherited heart conditions among many others. This year's focus is Batten Disease, a rare, fatal autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder that begins in childhood.

Briscoes and Rebel Sport have done extensive work with Cure Kids for the past 11 years, as a key partner since 2004. They have raised more than $4.5 million through various events across the country, including the infamous Briscoe Group Golf Day, Red Nose Day, ‘Add What You Can' in-store campaign and the Cure Kids $10 Queenstown Challenge

This year's Masquerade Ball is the second for the Tauranga store and began as a simple ‘thank you' to staff. But when the organisers realised there was an opportunity to further their fundraising efforts, something the staff were keen to be a part of, they have opened the event out to the public.

'Last year we raised $5000, with just under 150 people there,” says co-organiser and musician James Bos. 'It was a lot of fun, and a really good night, so this time we'd love to get to $10,000.”

James has recently experienced how hard it is being a parent of a sick child – the best friend of his seven-year-old son Cooper has cancer and was recently in Starship for treatment. James says it's heart-breaking to witness.

'His mate can't leave the house because he has very little immune system. It makes me sad thinking about it. It's easy to be a warrior and say, ‘We'll do this event', and not have any first or second hand experiences.”

'Luckily, I don't think Cooper fully understands why his friend can't come out and play – and I'm glad it's that simplified.”

Deputy managing director of Briscoes Group Alaister Wall says he is extremely proud of the work the organisation and individual branches do with Cure Kids.

'To their credit, our staff proactively come up with new and more effective ways to fundraise and the inter-store fundraising competition provides an amazing team-building opportunity that has seen staff morale improve significantly.”

The Masquerade Ball will feature entertainment from three local bands, Eclipse, Tuner and IcefireX, as well as an Arabian dance performance. Held Saturday, November 7, 7pm, at Mauao Performing Arts Centre, this is an R18 event. Come dressed to the nines, wearing your best mask.

Tickets are $35 (includes supper) available from Briscoes and Rebel Sport Tauranga and Mauao Performing Arts Centre.