Page 3385 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 19 October 2022
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They accommodate, on average, about 240 families a year, with no government assistance. They rely on the 150-odd volunteers and the generosity of the ACT and south-east New South Wales community to raise the approximately $650,000 a year that they need to keep the big red doors open. They raise those funds through a variety of fundraising events, so a big shout-out to their fantastic fundraising team. Of course, during COVID, reduced numbers were applied, both in the house and for fundraising events, making their life more challenging.
Because it is located inside the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, it is very close to Canberra Hospital’s NICU. The house has 10 rooms, each with two single beds and a bathroom, and one that is large enough to accommodate an additional bed for bigger families. Communal spaces include a kitchen, where the shared pantry and fridge are stocked with cereal, eggs, milk, bread, tea and coffee, and other non-perishable staples. Here, in-house or corporate and community volunteers often cook for the families staying in the house, to help sustain them as they focus their energy on their children recovering in intensive care.
Ronald McDonald House Charities ACT & South East NSW is an independent, not-for-profit organisation. The programs in the ACT and south-east New South Wales chapter are run by a very hardworking team of staff and volunteers, led by the wonderful executive officer and aided by the generous support of many donors, sponsors and corporate partners. Research has shown that, for every $1 invested, $3.60 of social and economic value is created by Ronald McDonald House Canberra.
I have a few quick statistics about Ronald McDonald House Canberra’s impact in 2021, which of course was under COVID-safe arrangements. During 2021 159 families stayed at Ronald McDonald House Canberra; 2,606 visitors were supported in the Ronald McDonald family room at the Centenary Hospital for Woman and Children; 33 families took time out to relax and reconnect at the Ronald McDonald family retreat ACT and south-east New South Wales; 20 per cent of nights used at Ronald McDonald House Canberra were used by families staying more than 90 days; 2,059 beds were filled by families with a sick or injured child; and 879 wrapped-in-love care packs were provided to families. So, at a time when a parent needs to be completely focused on the health and wellbeing of their child, the Ronald McDonald House Canberra volunteers and staff can take the stress out of everyday life for them.
To the board, past and present: thank you for your commitment. Thank you to the former chief executive, Michelle McCormack, who recently left to take up a role at the national Ronald McDonald House charities level . Welcome to the new CEO, Lee Maiden, and well done to other staff. And thank you to the many, many wonderful volunteers who have worked at and continue to work at Ronald McDonald House Canberra. Happy 10th birthday to Ronald McDonald House Canberra.
Community advocates—acknowledgement
MS CLAY (Ginninderra) (6.39): One of the great privileges of this job is the people that you meet. We have got so many community advocates working tirelessly. Some of these people are unpaid; some are merely paid much, much less than they would be
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