Welcome to

RMHC ACT & South East NSW

1 House
1 Family Room
1 Family Retreat

RMHC ACT & South East NSW history

Welcome to Ronald McDonald House Charities ACT & South East NSW.

We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing vital programs for families with seriously ill children.

About Our Chapter

Our 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 throughout the ACT and South East NSW region with warm and welcoming places to stay, get support or relax and recharge, while going through the difficult journey of childhood illness.

Through our accommodation and support services, we strive to keep families together when life gets turned upside down due to a child’s illness.

Our Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Retreat and Ronald McDonald Family Room are run by a tirelessly hard working team of staff and volunteers, lead by our Executive Officer, Lee Maiden and aided by the generous support of our donors, sponsors and corporate partners.

Contact us

PO Box 635 Mawson ACT 2607

 

Keeping our families safe COVID-19

Given the current COVID-19 situation, continuing to provide a safe and supportive environment for families of seriously ill children at our Ronald McDonald Houses and Programs is our absolute priority.

For the latest information please visit rmhc.org.au/covid-19

Our programs

We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing vital programs for families with seriously ill children.

Our chapter run a range of support programs across ACT and NSW including our House, Family Room and Family Retreat.

House

Our House provides a homely and inviting place to stay for parents, guardians, carers and their siblings while their child is undergoing treatment in the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children. 

Family Room

Our Family Room is exclusively for the families of children undergoing treatment in a nearby ward. Run by our friendly volunteers, our Family Room is a welcoming space where you can take time out from the clinical environment of the wards, have a tea or coffee, freshen up with a shower or find a quiet space for a much-needed nap. Our Family Room also has a dedicated play area so the siblings of seriously ill children can have a bit of fun.

Family Retreat

Our Family Retreat provides a peaceful getaway from the everyday, where families can simply be together in a tranquil setting. Families can enjoy up to a week of free accommodation, offering a welcome escape for those who might otherwise be unable to afford any time out due the pressures of caring for a seriously ill child.

How you can help

Make a donation

Support the charity or your local house

Become a volunteer

See the openings in your area

Other ways to help

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Host a Fundraiser

Helping to raise money for our house, family room, and family retreat and other projects makes a huge difference to the children and families who come through our doors. If you are planning to help us fundraise please fill out the Fundraising Application Form.

You might want to hold a golf day, sporting day, cake stall or a BBQ – there are endless fundraising opportunities and we would love to hear from you. 

Adopt A Night

The power to keep families together is in your hands.

Ronald McDonald House Canberra gives families a place to stay so they are close to their child at all times. This means more time for hugs, kisses and lots of love.

A donation of $150 to the Adopt A Night program will cover the costs for a family staying in our House for a night.

Find out more by visiting https://actfundraising.rmhc.org.au/act-adoptanight.

Meals From The Heart

Ronald McDonald House Canberra provides a home away from home for regional families of seriously ill children with the aim to keep families close during their time of need. Parents often return to the House after a long day at the hospital with their child and cooking a meal may be the last thing on their minds. This is an area where the House can take the stress away from a parent and make their lives easier.

Ronald McDonald House needs your help to ensure an efficient and quality dinner time service for families staying in the House.

The Program - Meals From The Heart

The Meals from the Heart Dinner Program invites teams of co-workers or community groups to prepare dinner for the families staying at the House. Ronald McDonald House Canberra provides the kitchen, and you provide the menu, food and enthusiastic chefs! You’ll be rewarded with a fun and meaningful experience, while you help make our families lives that little bit easier.

Dress up, decorate the dining room or theme your experience how you wish - you are only limited by your imagination! 

The Process

  1. Initial enquiries through the expression of interest below
  2. Date will be confirmed by the RMH Canberra Team
  3. Start thinking about your menu
  4. Send your menu in one week before your meal date
  5. Arrive at RMHC Canberra at 3-4pm on your date
  6. Kitchen orientation completed with full team & House and Family Room Tour
  7. Get cooking!
  8. Dinner served by 6pm
  9. Final clean up

Corporate Partners and Sponsors

We could not run our programs without the support of many local businesses, community groups and organisations. If you are interested in becoming a corporate partner through one of our events or sponsoring a room at the House or Retreat, please contact us at reception.canberra@rmhc.org.au

Donate to our WishList

Your help can go a long way, from as simple as keeping food on the table, lights on and hot water running. These are all vital elements that help us continue to provide a soft place to land for families during their time of need, and most importantly keep families close.

Our wish list are items that assist us in supporting the programs that we run. Your support in donating to help us purchase these items is greatly appreciated. To get a list of current items needed, please email events.canberra@rmhc.org.au 

House Items/Supplies

Please contact us for the current list.

Pantry Items

We always need pantry items. Please contact us for the current list of items. 

Gift Vouchers

Woolworths / Coles / Officeworks / Bunnings / Hoyts / Questacon

What we can’t accept

Due to Workplace Health and Safety regulations we cannot accept any USED goods; clothing, toys, games, bed linen, furniture, and books.

Upcoming Events

Get involved in our upcoming events to help seriously ill children and their families.

Events