Ronald McDonald House held their National Appeal recently which ran from the 8th – 14th of May. The Appeal week was launched with a Pyjama Party at the Auckland Domain House where families, staff and volunteers all had a blast with sleeping bag races, pillow fights and face painting.
Over 1,000 Ray White members from 100 Ray White offices throughout New Zealand participated in the Appeal. On the 9th of May in the North Island and the 12th of May in the South Island, Ray White members and volunteers gave up their time to go out on the streets and collect for Ronald McDonald House.
Many Ray White offices went over and above on their collection days, setting up tables and displaying posters and appeal collateral, giving out yellow cupcakes, balloons, baking and lollies to the public, making everyone feel special.
Everyone across the country raised over $200,000 to help keep families close to their hospitalised child. This ensured that Ronald McDonald House could support the 100+ families that stay with them each night.
Ray White are extremely proud to celebrate 10 years supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities, Carey Smith Chief Executive of Ray White New Zealand said, ‘finding New Zealand families the right house is what we do best, so we’re thrilled to be able to help families when they need a ‘home away from home’.’
Ronald McDonald House provides free accommodation and support for families with children in hospital, which gives these families the freedom to focus on the most important thing – their children’s health. Each night over 100 families stay in Ronald McDonald Houses in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Each year Ronald McDonald House provides accommodation for over 3,700 families across the country. Families such as the Hautapu family from Palmerston North, whose journey began in 2012 when daughter Quinn became paralysed down one side of her body, which was later found to be caused by a brain tumour. The family has stayed at the House on and off since 2012, and still, come in for regular check-ups. ‘I think the best thing was realising we could stay as a family. I just presumed my husband and son would have to go home,’ says mum Roanne.
To help keep families like the Hautapus close, people can donate $3 to Ronald McDonald House by texting ‘FAMILY’ to 4483, or by visiting www.rmhc.org.nz/donate.