Give a little this tax time

When everyday life is turned upside down by a child’s serious illness or injury, what matters most is to keep the family together.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Wagga takes away the worry of finding accommodation, while providing those everyday essentials and support for families. 

Families like River's turn to us for support when they need it most. You can give a gift this tax time and help family life carry on during these tough times.

Our little darling, River

Born at 32.1 weeks...

River was born at 32.1 weeks due to complications with severe pre-eclampsia, which I had from very early on in his pregnancy.

At 29.1 weeks I was flown from Wagga Calvary Hospital into Canberra Hospital, in an unstable state. Told I was possibly having my baby that day. Also, after a protocol Rat test I tested positive to Covid.

Holding on, I was able to stabilise and be discharged from Canberra, only to return to Wagga Calvary where I stayed on bedrest until 32.1 weeks. I was then transferred over to Wagga Base Hospital where I underwent an emergency c-section to deliver baby River.

River spent 2.5 weeks in Wagga Base relying on c-pap, drips, cardiac monitors and a feeding tube. Before transferring back to Wagga Calvary for a further 2 weeks of Special Care - learning how to suck and being cardiac monitored until 36 weeks. 

Ronald McDonald House staff delivered beautiful gifts to babies and their families staying in NICU over Easter. The staff took some time to meet families on the ward and they mentioned there was rooms available if I wanted to stay there, instead of the hospital.

I went in a week later and met Kiara who gave me a room to stay in for the duration of River's admission. 

Every single staff member and volunteer was just so beautiful, caring, kind and always asking if I needed anything to just ask, they were just so welcoming.

My days were so long sitting in the hospital. When arriving back at Ronald McDonald late at night, some of the overnight volunteer’s would still be awake, welcoming me to sit up and chat with them. They would always ask, How are you? How is little River?

They were such great company, it was like an instant family. Which is so important when you’re alone, 200km away from home having been away altogether for 8 weeks. 

Not only financially did RMHC help our family, but knowing I was able to stay close to the Hospital, where I could attend to River at any time was one less stress.  My Husband was still at home with our 3 other young boys Marley, Archer and Jagger, knowing that the whole family was welcome to visit and stay at RMHC was so comforting. 

Not being able to meet his baby brother River until discharge, our 6 year old would always ask me ‘are you still on holidays mum’ as I was gone for a while..

Ronald McDonald was a ‘HOME away from HOME’.  My family and I will be forever grateful for everything they have done- not only this stay, but also 7 years ago with our first premature baby. 

Thankyou Ronald McDonald House for all your support 

Monique, Ross, Marley, Archer, Jagger and Baby River 

Thank you for your donations every little bit helps!