I hope you all enjoyed reading our last newsletter and that you are excited to receive this one!
As you are all significantly aware, we are in a very different environment right now. I want to assure you that I and our Board we are doing everything it takes to keep our families, staff and volunteers safe. Our staff are stepping up and continuing to serve families.
We also want everyone to know that our hearts are hurting for everyone who is and will be impacted by the outcomes of COVID-19.
Before all of this impact on our lives, we had the opportunity to reward four amazing young men with a $5,000 Charlie Bell Scholarship each for 2019. It is such an honour and a privilege for our Charity to be able to support young people who have been driven through adversity to really excel in their studies and seek future education. As well as our excitement in sharing with you the fantastic refurbishment of our floors by the FCIA group who are doing great things in educating young people in a trade. Bit by bit our House is becoming homelier for our families. Thanks to this fine group of young men, their supervisors and FCIA itself, we now have fresh new flooring in our common areas. We are excited for Stage 2.
There is a great quote that says “In a world where you can be anything, be kind”. Kindness is a core value for us all here at RMHC Sydney and now, more than ever, therefore what better way to spread that out in our community than by putting on our Great Kindness Challenge. Not only will you be sprinkling kindness to those around you, you will be helping us to raise funds so we can continue to support families in need across all our programs.
In our March Edition of News from the Heart, we focus on:
- Isolation: Not a new concept for our families
- Meet Clancy and Banjo as they share their experience of the Ronald McDonald Learning Program
- What the world needs right now: Kindness
- Kindness in action: how you can support our families through #mealsmatter
Our world, our friends, our families, even absolute strangers, need us to be compassionate, patient, kind and caring. People are so fragile and vulnerable right now. Please take care of you and yours.
Thanks for your continued support and enjoy the read.
Simone Daher - Chief Executive Officer
We need your help now more than ever. Please conside a donation of anything you can afford to support seriously ill children and their families.
BE THE KINDNESS THE WORLD NEEDS RIGHT NOW
At Ronald McDonald House Charities Sydney, you would see how small acts of kindness go a long way. Whether it is a volunteer baking treats at the Family Room, corporate volunteers cooking up a storm, families supporting each other or just offering a sympathetic ear and a cuppa. These acts of kindness makes the Heart of our Home.
Be the kindness the world needs right now and show how small acts of kindness can brighten anyone’s day. Register now for the Great Kindness Challenge and challenge yourself and your friends by doing 30 acts of kindness this autumn and raise funds to support seriously ill children and their families.
RMHCS needs support for the families of seriously ill children in their care more than ever. The Great Kindness Challenge is the perfect opportunity for people to do something to help RMHCS continue to support some of the more vulnerable members of our community during challenging times and into the future.
You can choose you own acts of kindness, or follow the 30-day calendar of kindness. Suggested activities include checking in on an elderly neighbour, picking up some extra groceries for someone who can’t leave their house, calling your loved ones, or donating unused clothing or goods while you are isolated.
It costs $160 per night to support a family at our House, these costs are at no burden to the families that stay with us. By taking the Great Kindness Challenge, your funds will ensure we are able to KEEP OUR HOUSE OPEN 365 DAYS A YEAR so that we can continue supporting seriously ill children and their families.
To register, all you need to do is visit >
ISOLATION ISN’T NEW FOR OUR FAMILIES
The need to be in isolation or practising social distancing is new to most of us, but for many of our families that stay at Ronald McDonald House Charities Sydney (RMHCS), it is a way of life. For children that are being treated for leukaemia, cancer, have had transplants or are living with cystic fibrosis, isolation is essential for their survival. A common cold can be life threatening, making the need for isolation no holiday at home. This week we spoke to Steve and his daughter Ashleigh who have been staying at RMHCS for more than 4 months, whilst their daughter and sister, 2-year-old Robyn (Bobbi) is receiving treatment for a brain tumour.
During Bobbi's treatment, which is a long and difficult road for little Bobbi and emotionally and physically draining for Steve and Ashleigh, they have been living away from home at Ronald McDonald House in Randwick, in one of their 4 isolation units (a small self-contained one bedroom unit with a courtyard). During their stay they have taken the time to see the positives in what has bought them together. “More than anything, we have the time to enjoy each other’s company,” said Ashleigh. “I haven’t spent this much time with my dad since I was 15 as I was either working, studying or going out. Bobbi is such a good baby despite what she is going through and this experience has given us lots of quality time together that we might not have otherwise had. We have an influence on the development of Bobbi everyday and all that she learns comes from us. When I’m cooking pasta, I give her a little pot and she puts the pasta, salt and a little bit of water in it and stirs it just like me.”
When I peeked in their unit there was a cubby house made of blankets and chairs and little Bobbi had her own mini dustpan and broom and wanted to help her dad with cleaning the house. “We have created our own routine. I take Bobbi for a walk in her pram as her illness means she is not strong enough to walk and I do a few handyman things here and there when Bobbi is sleeping,” said Steve. “Day sleeps with the baby are the best! I never had the time to do that at home. I’m also reading those books that have sat on my bookshelf for so long,” added Ashleigh.
When asked how they keep a 2 year old entertained in a small area, Steve and Ashleigh said that they have gone back to learning and singing all of the nursery rhymes, play dress ups, look through photos and videos (like all 2 year-olds, Bobbi loves to see images of herself), paints their nails, dance around the house, build cubby houses, involve Bobbi in doing things around the house and just sit on the floor together and play.
This is not what they wanted for little Bobbi, but Steve and Ashleigh make the most of the situation they are in and look for the positives in the time that they get to spend with each other and Bobbi. We can all learn a little bit about the experiences that many families staying at Ronald McDonald House live with everyday.
Written by Rachel Stoddart
KINDNESS IN ACTION – SUPPORT OUR FAMILIES THROUGH #MEALSMATTER
The current situation with COVID-19 is having a very real impact on our Ronald McDonald House, Family Rooms and Programs across Sydney and Wollongong.
To ensure we continue to provide the safest environment possible for our families of seriously ill children, we are no longer able to host our dinner and meal programs for families. That’s why we need your help!
During this difficult time for our families, you can show a bit of kindness and help brighten their day by sponsoring a home-cooked meal for our families.
Often, parents and carers of seriously ill children simply do not have the time, funds or energy to prepare a meal after an emotional day at hospital.
Keeping families close through such times is at the heart of what we do and by sponsoring a nights' meal our families can find comfort in coming home to a healthy home-cooked meal.
With your support, your gift can be assured that dinner is waiting for them, one less thing to worry about.
Please donate and help make our House a home. Visit www.mealsmatter.org.au
MEET CLANCY AND BANJO, OUR RESIDENT FARMERS!
Clancy, at age 5, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia. While most children his age are out buying new school uniforms, packing their school bag and getting ready to start Kindergarten, Clancy was saying goodbye to his animals on the farm to embark on a health and medical journey in Sydney.
As a very keen learner, it didn’t take long for Clancy to make himself known to the Education Coordinators of Ronald McDonald Learning Program. He enthusiastically joined in on school holiday activities and was very excited to have a mobile farm pay a visit. A little touch of home to keep him connected.
In 2020, Clancy has been attending Kindergarten at Sydney Children’s Hospital School when he is feeling well enough, and always returns to the house of an afternoon ready for Homework Heroes. A new learning, a new creation or story to tell, Clancy is always willing to share. Sometimes even over a cup of tea.
Clancy’s younger brother, and number one supporter, Banjo (as pictured) will often stop by Ronald McDonald house for a visit. Upon his last visit he decided he wanted the same hair cut as his big brother. As you can see they are both fairly chuffed about the result! It is within these moments that you realise it is the little acts of kindness that have the greatest impact and have the ability to spread the most joy.
The two of them took a well-earned break a few weekends ago and went to the ‘Miracle Mile,’ Australia’s Speed Pacing Championship. We’re expecting a win on the fashions on the field, so stay tuned for a photo next month.
$10 can go a long way.
With just $10 a ticket, you could be supporting families and sick kids and you could win $250,000 for yourself. Entries close in Mid May.
