Ray White Rotorua have become the founding member of the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat Business Club. A club established to help cover the costs and upkeep of the lakeside retreat in Ngongotaha – a facility that offers families who have experienced the impact of long term illness or a bereavement, one weeks free holiday accommodation.
Last year more than 3,000 Kiwi families stayed at a Ronald McDonald House (RMH), with 300 of those coming from the wider Rotorua region. Families like the Gallagher’s (some family members pictured), who in October 2012 had just returned from holiday when four-year old Joshua complained of bad headaches that continued in the following days. After a visit to the doctor Joshua was referred to an Optometrist. On mother’s instinct, Annemarie brought Joshua back for further medical attention, which was just as well as they discovered Joshua had a tumour behind his brain. The family were based at Ronald McDonald House Auckland (RMHA) for nearly three months while Joshua received treatment at the National Children’s Hospital. “You can’t ever underestimate the value of this House and the support you receive from being surrounded by others who understand what you’re going through; it’s just amazing” said Annemarie.
For families who have experienced the impact of long term illness or a bereavement, RMH’s services extends to offering families one weeks free holiday accommodation at the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat in Rotorua. This house is an oasis of calm for families to enjoy a holiday together and have a much needed break from the hospital.
Ray White Rotorua owners Anita Martelli and Tim O’Sullivan (pictured here with Rotarua McDonald Franchise Owners Rob & Linley Parry) have been supporting this RMH program since it’s inception in 2008, when they helped secure a site for this facility. They have recently committed $5,000 a year to help cover the operational costs and upkeep of the lakeside Retreat which provided a much needed holiday for 65 Kiwi families in 2013.
One of the families who has used the Retreat is the Tebbutt family from Dargaville who have been staying at RMHA on and off since 2006, when Joseph was born with a number of health issues. Given their frequent stays, the Retreat offered them a chance to re-energise and create some special memories together. “It was such a pleasant environment for me and my children to relax in” said Mum Erica.
Anita Martelli and Tim O’Sullivan from Ray White Rotorua are excited about the opportunity to partner with Ronald McDonald House “It’s such a good, worthy cause, it’s going to benefit those families and those children that go through so much” Mrs Martelli says. The whole team at Ray White Rotorua are behind the project – and “are thrilled to bits to be supporting this” Mr O’Sullivan adds. Ray White Rotorua have a long standing relationship with the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat – recently auctioneering at the Retreat’s Supper Club’s pre-dinner auction, and look forward to strengthening this relationship even further. The upcoming Ronald McDonald Family Retreat Supper Club to be held in Rotorua on 2 April is already sold out, and with last years event raising in excess of $58,00 – organisers are hoping to top that this year.
Wayne Howett, CEO, Ronald McDonald House Auckland (RMHA) said “Ronald McDonald House (RMH) greatly appreciates the amazing support Ray White franchisees continue to provide to our programmes across the country. Collectively, the Ray White community are playing an integral role in helping New Zealand’s families and I am delighted to welcome Ray White Rotorua into our extended family. ”
Source: Rotorua Daily Post
Ray White franchisees play an integral part in the operations of RMH’s programs across the country. If you would like more information on joining the Ray White/RMH family, or attending the other Supper Club gala dinners across the country, please contact: Dominique Cornille on 09 365 8304
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