Ronald McDonald House Canberra
Our warm and supportive House located within the Women and Children's hospital in Canberra provides families with seriously ill or injured children and premature babies with a home away from home. Families experience emotional support, connecting with other families going through similar experiences. Our communal facilities provide them independence to be able to cater for themselves and keep up with day-to-day living as much as possible, while offering them food, comfort and a support network as needed.
Eligibility to stay at the Ronald McDonald House Canberra
Families who at least a 100kms away from Canberra, and have to travel to stay close to their child undergoing treatment at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children receive free accommodation. We also accommodate families with children undergoing treatment at other hospitals in Canberra. Our House also supports mothers going through high risk pregnancies.
To stay in the House, families require a referral from a social worker or medical authority. We usually have a Waitlist, though families can apply for themselves with the necessary documentation for planned stays, using the online form here.
Ronald McDonald Family Retreat Batemans Bay
Located in the beautiful seaside town of Batemans Bay, 160km south east of Canberra, our Retreat provides a perfect getaway for families with seriously ill children. We offer up to a week's stay at the Retreat free of cost to families looking to spend quality time together. There are two seaside units are private and fully self-contained, with all the comforts and amenities you’d expect, including a communal games room and a direct trail to the beach.
The region offers many family activities with its beautiful beaches and tourist attractions, and the charity strives to provide vouchers to local activities when possible. Swimming, bushwalking, a river cruise, local zoo, bird park and dining options are some that help create a fun holiday for all ages.
Eligibility to stay at the Ronald McDonald Family Retreat Batemans Bay (Fiona Lodge)
Any family with a child or young person under the age of 18 who is undergoing medical treatment is eligible to apply for and stay at the Retreat. Complete the application form here to apply today. Or send us an email at familyretreat.batemansbay@rmhc.org.au
Ronald McDonald Family Room Canberra
Our Family Room offers a welcome space to relax for families with children undergoing treatment in a nearby ward. Families can take time out from the clinical environment and recharge in a quiet space, looked after by our volunteers.
The room, located on Level 1 in the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children in Canberra, offers light snacks and meals, a TV lounge, bathroom and shower, laundry facilities, and a library of games and activities. The room is open to anyone visiting the hospital with a child undergoing treatment, whether for a few hours or days
Opening Hours are varied depending on volunteer availability. Please ring the team if you'd like to find out the latest hours on 6281 5894.
OTHER PROGRAMS
In addition to our three core programs, we support seriously ill children and their families through our "Wrapped in Love" initiative, as well as through a Learning Program and a Scholarship offering.
Wrapped in Love
Our volunteers go around the wards in the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, and hand out free goodies to the families, from our Wrapped in Love trolley to spread smiles and break up the day for families spending their time in hospital.
The trolley carries a mix of board games, card games, reading books, activity books, toys, dolls, legos, play-doh, hand-knitted baby blankets, meaningful essentials such as light snacks and water, and much more to provide comfort, practical support and/or a boredom-buster to sick kids and their carers.
Our incredible volunteers make this initiative possible by taking the time to stock the Wrapped in Love trolleys and deliver the goods, while our supporters regularly donate items to keep the trolley running!
Educational Programs (RMHC Australia)
The Ronald McDonald Learning Program assists school-aged children with serious illnesses and injuries to catch up on missed education following treatment and recovery. Providing a suite of free educational support services, including therapy sessions and one-on-one tutorials with experienced teachers, the program aims to build each child’s confidence and self-esteem in preparation for their return to the classroom.
Find out more about the Program here.
The Charlie Bell Scholarship awards one-off grants of up to $5,000 to deserving young people to get their schooling or career back on track afer a serious illnees or injury. So whether the money goes towards university fees, apprenticeship tools, books or supplies, RMHC is there to help them succeed.
Help us keep our Programs running
Your support will ensure that we can continue to provide vital Programs to families with seriously ill or injured children, and deliver on our mission across the ACT & South East NSW regions. #KeepingFamiliesClose
Share
LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR CHARITY
ABOUT US
Our ACT & SE NSW Chapter was established in 2012 as part of the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, where our House is located.
Ronald McDonald House Canberra, our Canberra Family Room and our Bateman’s Bay Family Retreat provide families with warm and welcoming places to stay, get support or relax and recharge, while going through the difficult journey of childhood illness.
We rely on donations from the local community, including our corporate supporters such as McDonald's, to keep our doors open.
OUR MISSION AND VISION
We provide holistic support to families throughout their child's journey in the hospital, and support families in between and after hospital stays.
Our Programs in the ACT & SE NSW Chapter are run by a tirelessly hard working team of staff and volunteers, lead by our Executive Officer, and aided by the generous support of our donors, sponsors and corporate partners.
Our mission is to provide a nurturing environment supporting the ever-changing needs of seriously ill children and their families. Our vision is to deliver hope, love and laughter with excellence and compassion. Our values are Respect, Excellence, Integrity, and Compassion.
For every $1 invested, $3.60 of social and economic value is created by RMHC.
Sign up to news & event updates
Connect with Us
Ronald McDonald House Charities ACT & South East NSW
PO Box 635, Mawson, ACT 2607, Australia
Phone: (02) 6281 5894
Email: events.canberra@rmhc.org.au
