Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham invited National Party colleagues 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.
Ms Benham said so many people in the 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.
“During our visit I was lucky enough to meet with beautiful Daisy’s family from Irymple who are currently undergoing treatment.
“The work that the Ronald McDonald Houses do is so critical for regional families,” Ms Benham said.
“The Ronald McDonald Houses in Melbourne provides essential comfort, care and kindness to regional families when they need it most.
“It was a joy to play a small part in relieving these families, providing a meal for them, and sitting around the dining table to understand their stories.
“It was such a pleasure to meet some of these families and cook a meal for them – taking some pressure away during a difficult situation, even if only for one night.”
While connected to McDonalds, these services still rely on significant external funding from philanthropic organisations, donations and fundraising events like McHappy Day.
“It is so 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 Benham said.
“The road ahead for their family often means countless days in and out of hospital but thanks to the Ronald McDonald Houses, some of the stress is lifted.”
Melina Bath MP, Danny O’Brien MP, Hon Peter Walsh, Kim O’Keefe MP, Gaelle Broad MLC, Annabelle Cleeland MP, Hon Tim Bull MP, Jade Benham MP, Tim McCurdy MP, Martin Cameron MP, Emma Kealy MP.
