A place to call home

Ronald McDonald House Adelaide

for families with seriously ill and injured children at the Women's and Children's Hospital

10 Bedrooms
10 Units
267 Families stay a year

Staying at the house

Ronald McDonald House Adelaide gives seriously ill and injured children the best gift of all – their families. Our warm and supportive home-away-from-home provides the whole family with a comfortable place to stay and peace of mind, knowing they can stay together and close to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Ronald McDonald House Adelaide is spread across two sites directly opposite each other. The main House sleeps up to ten families in single room accommodation. Our second building is an apartment-style facility containing ten two - bedroom self-contained units, best suited to families staying with us for longer periods of time.

Our Team

Our tirelessly dedicated team of staff are guided by Executive Officer, Melissa Monkhouse. Our House relies upon a committed group of volunteers who generously give their time to make our families feel welcome and supported.

Who’s eligible to stay with us?

Keeping the family together can be extremely tough without support, which is why we offer accommodation for parents and families with seriously ill and injured children. Our House also supports mothers going through high risk pregnancies.

We try to accommodate the needs of families where we can, but this is always subject to availability. Priority is given to regional families whose children have been recently diagnosed, seriously injured or who require emergency treatment, as well as families with premature babies.

To stay with us the first time, you’ll need an initial referral from your local doctor, specialist, social worker or patient travel office. For subsequent visits, you can enquire with us directly.

Fees

Ronald McDonald House understands that being away from home for long periods of time can put families under financial pressure, that is why our accommodation is free for eligible families.

Whilst our policy is to provide free accommodation, your stay at Ronald McDonald House SA may require you to claim financial support towards accommodation and travel from the relevant government transport assistance scheme in your home state. Our friendly team are happy to work with you to apply for the relevant financial support.

To find out if you’re eligible for government financial assistance, contact your hospital social worker or talk to one of our team.

Want to know more?

Being forced to move your family far from home, work, school and your entire support network due to a child’s illness or injury is extraordinarily tough. Our House has a wonderful community spirit, where you’ll be able to connect with other families going through experiences similar to your own. Our communal facilities also provide families with the independence to be able to cater for themselves and keep up with day-to-day living as much as possible.

Ronald McDonald House Adelaide is unique in that it is provides two differing styles of accommodation. Our single rooms are a low-upkeep option for families staying for a few days or weeks, whilst our fully self-contained two bedroom apartments provide an extra level of comfort and privacy for families requiring an extended stay.

Make an enquiry

There are two ways to get in touch with us:

Call the House on (08) 8267 6922

Request a referral from a social worker or medical authority.

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 and injured children at our Ronald McDonald Houses and Programs is our absolute priority.

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

House location

Ronald McDonald House Adelaide is a convenient 5 minute walk from the Women and Children’s Hospital on Melbourne Street.

Centrally located in leafy North Adelaide in the ‘green belt’ of the city, our House is surrounded by acres of urban parkland and is a short stroll to the Botanical Gardens and the Adelaide Zoo.

Contact us

271 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide SA 5006

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 and injured children at our Ronald McDonald Houses and Programs is our absolute priority.

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

How to get there

By train

We are located a quick bus ride from Adelaide Station.

By car

Travel into Adelaide on the A1 or M1 and continue to the A21 and enter Melbourne Street from Park Road.

By bus

Bus lines 202, 203 or 208 from Adelaide Bus station will bring you to RMH Adelaide.

House Facilities

While there’s no place like home, we do our best to create an environment that’s as homely as possible.

Whether you’ll be staying with us for just a couple of nights or have many months ahead of you, our House functions as a real home, with everything you need to get through trying times together.

Guest rooms

Our original House contains ten one - bedroom guest rooms. All of our rooms have recently been refurbished with an ensuite bathroom attached. Additional beds and port-a-cots are available on request, and each room is large enough to comfortably sleep up to five people.

Self-contained apartments

Our dedicated apartment-style accommodation facility, featuring ten, two bedroom units, are ideal for families who will be staying with us for longer periods of time, or for children who require isolation as a medical necessity. Each apartment has an ensuite bathroom, a fully-equipped kitchen and dining area, as well as a balcony or outdoor courtyard. Two of our apartments offer total disability access.

Fully-equipped kitchen

Our kitchen doubles as a space to socialise and bond with other families. It features two separate bays with all the appliances and utensils you need to prepare family meals, just as you would at home.  Each family has an allocated fridge, freezer and pantry space to keep their own food in.

Communal dinning room

The most social part of the House is the dining room, a place where families can bond and share stories over the familiar comforts of a home-cooked meal. Our 'Meals from the Heart' dinner program takes place regularly in the dining area, allowing families to gather together and enjoy a delicious dinner cooked by generous volunteers.

Parents' retreat

Need some quiet time? Our Parents' Room provides a relaxing zone for our parents and carers to unwind in at the end of the day, complete with a massage chair.

Lounge

Our lounge is the place to enjoy some of the creature comforts of home and provide a space for kids to hang out and play together indoors. Furnished with cosy seats and sofas, there’s a large flatscreen for catching up on a bit of TV or watching a DVD. For the primary and high school aged kids in our House, there are video game consoles and a selection of board games – great for kids to get to know each other.

Playroom

Our younger guests can have endless fun in our multi-sensory playroom, packed with colourful toys, dress-up costumes and a mini-library full of books, as well as push-along bikes for the little ones.

Outdoor areas

We have two unique outdoor areas – one on each site. Families living in both sites are welcome to make use of either area. On our original site, we have a small outdoor playground as well as a BBQ and outdoor dining areas. Our apartment complex features a spacious play deck with age appropriate equipment, a gym with outdoor exercise equipment and a peace garden – a secluded space for quiet reflection.

Laundry facilities

We have a large communal laundry with commercial sized washers to help you keep up with the washing duties. Laundry services for linen are provided for the length of your stay with us.

House Programs

Ronald McDonald House Charities South Australia relies on the work of our volunteers and the financial support of individual and corporate donations.

Without their generous contributions, we would be unable to keep our doors open to families in need 365 days a year. Thanks to the public, we’ve been able to continually expand our operations to help more families and communities in Adelaide.

There are many ways you can contribute to Ronald McDonald House Charities South Australia.

 

Get Involved

Discuss how you, your organisation, school or business can help and become involved.

Call us:(08) 8267 6922

Email us:fundraising.sa@rmhc.org.au

Fundraise for us

Whether it’s holding a raffle, a fundraiser in your club or workplace or even riding, running or walking for a good cause, by raising money for Ronald McDonald House Charities South Australia, you will be making a tremendous difference to the lives of families who have a sick or injured child.

Getting started is easy. Simply download our Fundraising Toolkit for more information about how you can fundraise in your own way. Then complete an Agreement to Fundraise and send it to fundraising.sa@rmhc.org.au.

Alternatively, you can simply sign up via our Fundraising Platform, here: https://safundraising.rmhc.org.au/chapter-landing/sa

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with our fundraising team if you have any questions at 08 8267 6922 or fundraising.sa@rmhc.org.au.

 

Adopt A Room

The original House has accommodated over 4,000 families which equates to more than 130,000 bed nights. Understandably, the bedrooms are in need of renovation. 

The ‘Adopt A Room’ Program provides organisations or community groups with the opportunity to partner with us to refurbish and maintain these bedrooms. It is the House’s aim to improve the level of comfort that we provide to the families.

To learn more, email our Head of Corporate Partnerships - Chloe.Watts@rmhc.org.au.

 

Volunteer Programs

RMHC is a not-for-profit organisation that relies on community support to continue to achieve our mission of supporting the families of seriously ill or injured children. We have three volunteer programs for community or corporate groups to engage with our charity, as follows:

Meals from the Heart gives families the chance to meet some bright, happy people who talk about ordinary, everyday things like, the football, weather and current affairs. It also provides families with a nourishing, home-cooked meals at the end of a long emotional day in hospital.

Help Yourself Meals allows groups to prepare meals to be packed away and frozen, so the families have a quick, easy, healthy meal at the end of their day.

Working Bee is an opportunity for groups to spend a ‘teambuilding’ day together, while helping Ronald McDonald House to support families by maintaining a clean and safe environment for all to enjoy.

To provide and maintain our volunteering programs, we ask for a financial donation, ‘gift in kind’ donation or a broader partnership (sponsorship). We will endeavour to feature your team and their support on our social media channels.

Please download the relevant documents below, or call us on 08 8267 6922.

 

Leave a Gift in your Will

Leaving a gift in your will, or a bequest, is a wonderful legacy for future generations. Anyone can leave a charitable bequest. It is a powerful way to make a positive impact on the future, without affecting your finances in the present. 

Whenever the time is right for you, please consider remembering Ronald McDonald House Charities in your Will. Your gift will provide love, care and support for seriously ill children and their families whenever they need it.

Information for Solicitors & Executors

If you or your client intend to leave a Bequest to RMHC South Australia, the correct legal name to use is Ronald McDonald House Charities South Australia, registered business name of Allan Campbell AND WCH House Inc.

Our ABN is 30 061 528 747 and our registered office address is 271 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide, 5006

The charity is registered with the Australia Commission for Not-for-profits and Charities (ACNC). We also have Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. When taking instructions from your client about their charitable intentions, please consider the tax implications for the estate and the tax benefits of transferring assets from an estate to a charity with DGR status.  

For further information contact us on (08) 8267 6922 or email us at fundraising.sa@rmhc.org.au

 

Become a Corporate Partner

Our charity is able to bring comfort and care to thousands of families Australia-wide, largely thanks to the generosity of like-minded businesses and individuals who provide significant financial, in-kind and volunteering support year-on-year.

We strive to create mutually beneficial partnerships with organisations who are committed to our mission of supporting the ever-changing needs of seriously ill children and their families.

To find out about becoming a Corporate Partner, email our Head of Corporate Partnerships - Chloe Watts Chloe.Watts@rmhc.org.au

2020 Room Rescue Partners

  • Farmer's Leap

2021 Long Lunch Supporters

  • McDonald’s South Australia
  • Farmer's Union Iced Coffee
  • PURA
  • Coca-Cola Amatil
  • Geoff & Joanne Olle
  • Seven News
  • Nine Network Entertainment Co.
  • Network Ten
  • JCDecaux
  • Mark Lobert Gallery
  • Coates Group
  • SkyCity Adelaide
  • Aryzta
  • NOVA Entertainment
  • Howard & Deb Norman
  • Secure Parking
  • Australian Radio Network (ARN)
  • Kangaroo Island Spirits
  • Farmer's Leap
  • Scarpantoni Estate
  • Coopers Brewery