Easing financial burden when child is seriously ill

The Stronger Together Partnership between Greater Charitable Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW has achieved life-changing outcomes helping to ease the financial and emotional burdens families face when their child is diagnosed with a serious illness.

Gosford parents Gerry and Steven saved more than $10,000 during their time at the Newcastle Ronald McDonald House while their daughter Dawn was in hospital

Born in Gosford Hospital, Dawn was just one day old when the family was transported to Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital via helicopter to receive the treatment the baby needed.

Diagnosed with a rare condition, total intestinal aganglionosis, it is near impossible for Dawn to digest food, forcing her to rely on an intravenous catheter for total parenteral nutrition.

Dawn’s mother Gerry said Ronald McDonald House gave the family a safety net during their three-month stay.

“We were told we’d be spending nine months away from home in hospital so Dawn could get the treatment and support she needed to give her the best chance at life,” she said.

“We were thrust into a world we knew nothing about, when most people are excitedly taking their newborn home to meet loved ones.

“Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle offered us a safety net – a home away from home … allowing us to be close to Dawn while she was in hospital, without the stress of finding accommodation, food and even transport to and from Dawn’s ward.

“It’s thanks to Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW that we were able to focus on our daughter so we could learn everything she needed to care for her at home.

“Our girl is a fighter and we were able to return home after three months.

Greater Bank’s Chief Distribution Officer, Emma Brokate, said the organisation was honoured to help support families in need.

In the past two years, more than 250 employees at NGM Group, which Greater Charitable Foundation is part of, have volunteered hundreds of hours to support Ronald McDonald House by making meals, fundraising and donating goods.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW CEO Ross Bingham said Greater Charitable Foundation funding made an enormous difference to the charity’s impact.

“As a community owned and operated charity, we rely on the generosity of the community and the significant support we’ve received from Greater Charitable Foundation has helped thousands of families in a time of great need,” he said.

“Based on independent research by Social Ventures Australia, for every $1 invested by the Greater Charitable Foundation we’ve been able to deliver $3.60 social and economic value back into our communities.

“That can be through our accommodation services at the Ronald McDonald Houses in Newcastle or Tamworth, free tutoring for students who have missed out on schooling, the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at John Hunter Children’s Hospital in Newcastle or at Gosford Hospital, or they can also enjoy some well-deserved vacation time at our Family Retreat in Forster.

“I can’t thank Greater Charitable Foundation enough for their support, which has saved families throughout Northern NSW more than $1.3M in the past three years.”