What is a Ronald McDonald House?
Ronald McDonald House is an affordable home-away-from-home for the families of seriously ill children being treated at nearby hospitals. Rather than spend the night in a hospital waiting room, family members can stay in comfort at a Ronald McDonald House and receive support from staff, volunteers or other families who are sharing similar experiences. Facilities include private family rooms with en-suites and common kitchens, lounges, quiet rooms and play areas.
How do the Houses operate?
Ronald McDonald Houses are run by an incorporated Board employing a House Manager who is supported by a team of staff and volunteers.
Volunteers help ease the load on families by washing, gardening, preparing meals, reading to the children, talking to the parents and organising play activities. Volunteers are committed to building a brighter future for the children and making life easier for their families.
How many Houses are there in Australia?
There are currently 13 Ronald McDonald Houses around the country: five in NSW, (two in Sydney, one in Newcastle, one in Wagga Wagga and one in Tamworth) two in Victoria (Melbourne), three in Queensland (two in Brisbane, one in Townsville), one in South Australia (Adelaide), one in Western Australia (Perth) and one in Tasmania (Hobart).
What is the relationship between Ronald McDonald House (RMH) and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC)?
Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1985. Ronald McDonald House Charities supports programs that directly help seriously ill children live happier lives, with the cornerstone program being the 13 Ronald McDonald Houses in Australia.
Each House is a separate incorporated entity and a registered Charity and all donations of $2 or more to the Houses and Ronald McDonald House Charities is tax deductible. While Ronald McDonald House Charities makes major grants toward Ronald McDonald House construction projects, Ronald McDonald Houses rely heavily on a broad base of community support and fundraising projects in order to meet the overall financial needs for providing ongoing services.
Who is eligible to stay at Ronald McDonald Houses?
Ronald McDonald Houses are located next to major women and children's hospitals in each state. Any family with a sick child receiving treatment at the hospital is able to stay at the House, dependant on room availability. However, the Houses are primarily set-up for families who have to travel long distances for their child to receive treatment.
How can I make a booking to stay at Ronald McDonald House?
Parents can contact the House Manager directly and referrals to the House can also be made by your General Practitioner or the Medical or Social Work staff at your child's Hospital. The initial enquiry is made directly to the House Manager who can complete the booking and advise you on the House facilities and availability of rooms.
What hospitals have Ronald McDonald Houses?
The 13 Ronald McDonald Houses are located near the following hospitals:
- The Children’s Hospital Westmead, NSW
- Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick, NSW
- The John Hunter Hospital, Rankin Park, Newcastle, NSW
- Wagga Base Hospital Wagga Wagga, NSW
- Tamworth Base Hospital, Tamworth, NSW
- Mater Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, QLD
- The Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Brisbane, QLD
- Townsville Hospital, Townsville, QLD
- Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Melbourne, VIC
- Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC
- Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, Adelaide, SA
- Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Subiaco, Perth, WA
- Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, TAS
What other projects does Ronald McDonald House Charities support?
RMHC supports a number of other programs that support seriously ill children and their families. The Charity's cornerstone program is the 13 Ronald McDonald Houses located around Australia. In addition to the Houses, Ronald McDonald House Charities supports:
The Ronald McDonald Learning Program: This provides specialist education to children who are recovering from serious illness. The program aims to help children 'catch up' on their education following lengthy hospital stays and absence from school.
Ronald McDonald Family Rooms: Created as "places to go to when local families can't go home", the Family Rooms provide a respite from the stresses of short-term hospital stays. There are family rooms at Princess Margaret Hospital, Perth; John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle and Canberra Hospital, Canberra. RMHC plans to build up to nine more Family Rooms over the coming years.
The RMHC Cord Blood Bank: This funds the collection and storage of umbilical cord blood. Cord blood is rich in marrow stem cells and is used as an alternative to bone marrow in treating childhood leukaemia and other cancers.
Ronald McDonald Family Retreat: Families of children experiencing serious illnesses are often placed under immense emotional, physical and financial stress. To help relieve the burden RMHC has built the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat as a holiday retreat for these families.
RMHC Grants: Numerous grants made by the Charity to hospitals and projects that help seriously ill children
How can I support Ronald McDonald House Charities?
There are many way you can help RMHC to continue their support of seriously ill children. You can:
- Make a donation
- Become a sponsor
- Make a bequest
- Volunteer
- Or find out what support specific programs currently need
You can also contact 'The Donor Relationship Manager' for direct donations or any questions or offers regarding support:
RMHC Donor Relationship Manager
21-29 Central Avenue
THORNLEIGH NSW 2120
PO Box 392
PENNANT HILLS NSW 1715
Telephone: (02) 9875 6666
Fax: (02) 9875 6588
rmhc@au.mcd.com
How does Ronald McDonald House Charities raise funds?
McDonald's Australia Limited pays all administration costs for RMHC. This means that every cent of every dollar donated goes directly RMHC programs supporting seriously ill children and their families.
Individual Ronald McDonald Houses receive funding for capital projects from Ronald McDonald House Charities, but they need to cover their own operating expenses. To meet these costs they raise funds through donations from local service clubs, local businesses, local McDonald's Licensees, special events and general fundraising activities. Houses also generate income from modest accommodation fees from parents, most of whom are eligible for government assistance with the fees.
Funds raised by RMHC events such as McHappy Day and Ronald McDonald House Charities' Balls are distributed between houses and programs at a state or national level.
