Young patient Capri and RMH volunteer Daniel.  Photos by Noel Rowsell

Story By Ronald McDonald House Media

Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Western Sydney runs a 60-room House in Westmead, which supports over 1,600 families every year who have travelled long distances for critical hospital treatment. We not only provide accommodation, but also educational services, meals and in-house counselling, relieving the financial and emotional burden for families with seriously ill and injured children.

We also run services for local families with sick children, including our Hospitality Cart at Nepean Hospital. Ronald McDonald House volunteers currently provide this service 2 days a week, providing bedside comfort and essential items to families on the NICU and Children’s Ward. This new service has supported 1,669 families since it launched last year, but that figure will grow as we prepare to increase this service from running 2 days to 5 days per week.

 A nurse from Nepean recently wrote on Facebook, “I work in both NICU and the Children’s Ward, and I can tell you that when the people come around with the trolley, it means so much to the kids and their families. And the staff on these wards love the chocolates as well that they drop off on their way to the families. Twice a week, they come around and for some parents who haven’t left the hospital in a few days, toiletries and a snack or a toy for a kid who hasn’t left their hospital room in days goes a long way.” 

We’re holding an event called www.thebigspin.com.au at Jamisontown on Thursday 28th November. We’re inviting the Nepean community to register a team to help raise much-needed funds. More information about our services and support can be found at www.rmhcgws.org.au