2022 Gala Ball

It's been an eventful Autumn here at the House with loads of fundraising events.  We kicked off the change in season with our annual Gala Ball.

Thanks to all the sponsors and guests who attended on the night. It was a huge success and we raised over $600,000.

Having just under 1000 people in the room made the night such a success as you can see from the photos.

Family Story

At 17, young Indi fell 5-metres from a rope swing, hitting her head on a rock at Lake Jindabyne.

Seven days in an induced coma in intensive care with a traumatic brain injury, while part of Indi's skull had to be taken out to reduce swelling.

At the time, hope was a thing the Doctors and nurses couldn't give much of, and Indi's future was uncertain.

They were preparing her family for the worst. If she wakes, she may not walk, may not talk, and may need to relearn some things like who you are or how to feed herself.

"This was so overwhelming for me to hear, let alone look at my beautiful daughter with her long hair shaved down the middle of her swollen head with 47 staples holding it together and all the machines keeping her alive," says Indi's mum, Belinda.

"I swore I would not leave this hospital without my daughter," Belinda stayed at Indi's bedside for the seven nights in ICU, ignoring the concern from family and friends for her own health and wellbeing as only a parent might understand.

It was then that their social worker mentioned Ronald McDonald House Canberra, and Belinda's journey behind the 'big red doors' began.

"Those Big Red doors saved my sanity," says Belinda, whose own mantra of 'not leaving without her daughter' aligned so closely with RMHC's promise of 'keeping families close'.

RMHC offered the support and facilities Belinda needed during these difficult times, becoming her home away from home.

"The volunteers at RMH became family as well; they genuinely listened with empathy, cared, and took extra steps to provide the comfort we needed in our tragedy," says Belinda, "I can remember talking to many volunteers when I needed a shoulder to cry on, and many times the volunteers would be crying with me. Genuine empathy was provided from all RMH volunteers, and this was a comfort after some of the confronting news Doctors and nurses would tell me."

Through the Big Red doors is a "magic sanctuary" for families of seriously ill children, with soft carpet, calm lighting, no noise, and tucked safely away from the hustle and bustle of busy doctors or nurses.

"There were lounges, dining tables, a massive kitchen with home-baked treats on the counter, real coffee," says Belinda, "The rooms were like a hotel, my own bathroom, normal beds, a TV, and even windows. The staff was genuine and caring; I couldn't believe this place existed. I could wash clothes, eat normal food, hide and cry."

While RMHC offers many necessary amenities, it is also in close range to the child and adolescent wards and the Woden shopping district for families in need of things outside of the Canberra hospital.

But when venturing too far from her seriously ill child became too much, Belinda always had a home to return to, "I would race back to the safety and comfort of those big red doors—my safety zone."

In the kitchens, Belinda was able to blend smoothies and make fresh salads for her health-conscious daughter, as she had begun eating solids once more, which became another blessing of RMHC.

"On occasion, I would return to my room to be surprised by fantastic food hampers placed on the bed full of quick treats to eat on the run. Volunteers would also cook meals, and nearby restaurants donated first-class meals we could heat up if needed," says Belinda, "I believe that access to good healthy food was part of Indi's miraculous speedy recovery and that I could make it for her made me feel useful."

RMHC offers families a private, comforting place to feel supported, accessible only to staff and other families of children within the hospital. Within those big red doors, all families respect each other and each other's emotions and privacy.

"Indi was in a wheelchair with her head swollen and shaved. A particularly hard self-image for a 17-year-old girl," says Belinda, "RMHC allowed Indi to escape the ward through the big red doors where she could sit on a lounge, shower, watch a movie, and practice walking away from the crowded, brightly lit hospital."

The families and volunteers at RMHC understand what other families are going through. They don't stare or ask questions and are always there to offer support, "We were all going through a crisis. We became a temporary family."

RMHC is for all families of seriously ill children, from newborns to eighteen. We understand that regardless of age, children are still 'babies' in their parent's eyes, and it is our mission to keep those families close by keeping those families together.

"I could not have supported my child without their support; living 2 hours away would have meant paying for accommodation and placed a barrier on the amount of time I could be by her side," says Belinda, "Once again, RMHC kept my family together, and we are eternally grateful."

Ronald McDonald House Charites Canberra has been a home away from home for Indi and her family and will continue to support them whenever they may need it.

Save the Dates

Butterfly Wall

Some families that have stayed with us, then come back and stay again with their next baby, always put their butterfly next to the first baby's.  They know exactly where they last placed the butterfly.
It's a lovely way of showing just how many families we have had the privilege of looking after.

When Natalia was in her final year at University, completing her Bachelor of Communication and Media (Journalism) degree, she was given the opportunity to complete an internship to gain relevant experience in the industry and successfully applied for a Marketing and Fundraising Assistant Internship with RMHC. She liked it so much she decided to sign on as a volunteer instead, so she could come in and volunteer weekly even after the internship would have finished.

Why do you like volunteering? 

I really enjoy working with the team and volunteers at RMHC. As a somewhat shy and awkward individual, I feel I have found somewhere to belong at RMHC. Additionally, I think the work that is done by RMHC is so important and significant in the lives of so many people, and I really feel drawn to that work. 

What do you experience on any given shift?

In a usual shift, I arrive at the house, sign in and then set myself up on the computer to start a busy afternoon of writing social media content, newsletter articles, and occasionally creating video journalism case stories for RMHC events, social media, and website. I also enjoy volunteering at events like the annual RMHC Gala Ball and Meet the Makers dinner.

What reward do you like getting out of volunteering?

I have found the role to be extremely rewarding in that I feel I am supporting the House and making a difference, and it has also allowed me the chance to grow, by meeting new people and becoming a more empathetic and understanding person.

Why would you suggest people donate to RMHC?

I think the work that RMHC does is so important to the greater community, offering support and compassion to parents and families while in some of their darkest moments.  

For families struggling with a seriously ill or injured child, the other things that may be happening at that time are usually the least of their concerns. They’re don’t want to think about where they’re going to stay when their focus is entirely on their child. 

RMHC gives families a safe, supportive place so they don’t have to worry about the extra things. RMHC gives families accommodation close to the child and adolescent wards, with laundry facilities and a fully functioning and stocked kitchen so that families can focus on what matters. 

Donations are what make all of that possible, and I would encourage anyone to support RMHC by making a contribution this financial year.

to apply to volunteer