The Victorian Nationals MPs recently volunteered to cook dinner for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Melbourne’s North Fitzroy.
Ronald McDonald Houses in Victoria and Tasmania support more than 2000 families of seriously ill children, as well as high-risk pregnancies requiring medical treatment, predominantly from regional and rural areas.
The Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region Melina Bath said, said so many people in our community had been benefitted from the remarkable work of the RCH charity, either directly or indirectly through knowing someone who relied on the accommodation support.
“The work that the Ronald McDonald Houses do is critical for regional families when a child is undergoing specialist medical treatment that’s only accessible in Melbourne,” Ms Bath said.
“Having access to Ronald McDonald Houses in Melbourne provides essential accommodation, comfort, care, and kindness to regional families when they need it most.
“Cooking dinner for families from all Victoria who are away from their home and support networks for extended periods in stressful situations was a joy.
“It was wonderful to play a small part in supporting families accessing the service – providing a meal, and sitting around the dining table, listen to and understand their personal stories was humbling.”
While connected to McDonalds, Ronald McDonald House services are reliant on significant external funding, including Government grants and donations from generous members of the community to keep the service operating.
“It is difficult to understand the true financial, emotional, and mental cost of caring for a child who need to undergo treatment at a hospital that is far from home,” Ms Bath said.
“The road ahead for their family often means countless days navigating the hospital system but thanks to the Ronald McDonald Houses, some of the stress is alleviated.
“There are many fabulous volunteer opportunities at RMHC that can be undertaken to help support seriously ill children and their families.
“I encourage anyone who would like to get involved like The Nationals did to contact Victoria/Tasmania volunteering team at volunteering.victas@rmhc.org.au.”