Ronald McDonald House Charities® NZ (RMHC® NZ) is
encouraging Kiwis to sign up now for its annual House to
House (H2H) challenge and go the distance for Kiwi families
with a child in hospital.
Every year, RMHC NZ provides
free accommodation, meals and other support to more than
4,400 Kiwi families whose children are going through medical
crises. On average, these families from across Aotearoa
travel more than 210km from their home to a Ronald McDonald
House to be close to their child as they receive life-saving
hospital treatment.
Established in 2018, the House to
House campaign encourages Kiwis to go the distance in their
own way – whether that is walking, running, swimming or
cycling a distance of their own choosing – while raising
vital funds to ensure RMHC NZ can continue to support every
eligible family in need.
“House to House is inspired
by the very real journey our whānau make – often at short
notice – from their home to one of our Houses so they can
stay close to their child in hospital,” RMHC NZ CEO Lisa
Tai says.
“Through March, we’re inviting New
Zealanders to choose a distance that feels achievable and
complete it in solidarity with those families.”
Tai,
who recently joined RMHC NZ as CEO, is encouraging Kiwis to
sign up now ahead of the campaign kicking off in March, and
join her whānau who are also taking part.
“Every
dollar raised helps us provide comfort, stability and
support for whānau going through some of the toughest times
of their lives,” she says.
Advertisement – scroll to continue reading
For families with a
seriously ill or injured child, RMHC NZ becomes a
‘home-away-from-home,’ providing not just a place to
stay, but a vital support network.
The charity’s
cornerstone promise is to never turn a single eligible
family away, because keeping families together leads to
better health outcomes for children and improved wellbeing
for everyone in their whānau. However, this service is
under pressure.
In recent years, RMHC NZ has faced
unprecedented demand and is now operating at – and often
beyond – capacity, as more and more families need to stay
close to their child while in hospital.
“Our whānau
show incredible courage and resilience every day, and House
to House is a meaningful and fun way for communities across
Aotearoa to rally behind them, ensuring we can keep our
promise now and into the future,” adds Tai.
Family
story
Cameron and Bronnie Grant live on a sheep and
beef farm in Gore’s Hokonui Hills with their three
children – Addie (15), Zoe (14), and Angus (12). Their
busy life revolves around working hard on the farm and
enjoying family holidays to nearby Wanaka.
Everything
changed on July 15th, 2024, when Angus, who had been unwell
for weeks, was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic
leukaemia. Angus was flown to Christchurch for urgent
treatment, and the family stayed at an RMHC NZ House for the
first time, unsure what to expect but grateful for a place
to focus on their son.
Angus’s treatment was
intense, involving chemotherapy, lumbar punctures, and
surgeries. Six months in, the family faced devastating news:
Angus had relapsed and would need a bone marrow transplant.
Their daughter Zoe was a 100% match and agreed to the
transplant, which took place in Auckland.
Throughout
everything, RMHC NZ was a lifeline for the Grant Family,
giving them a place where they were seen, supported, and
never alone.
“Ronald McDonald House offers the
connection to people during the hardest times you’ll ever
face. We were constantly reminded that a trouble shared is a
trouble halved, and RMHC enables you to take care of
yourself so that you can be the hand holder, the back
rubber, the voice of reason and 100% present and available
to be your child’s advocate.
“When your world is
turned completely upside down, and you can’t think
straight, RMHC is there. It’s a place of trust and safety,
knowing that when you’re there your family is looked
after.”
Join the Challenge
By signing up for
House to House, Kiwis can make a tangible difference in the
lives of families with a hospitalised child. Whether it’s
a solo challenge or a team effort, every kilometre completed
and dollar raised helps ensure families can stay together
when it matters most.
Sign up today at
https://www.housetohouse.org.nz/.
© Scoop Media
Discussion about this post