Collectors Committed To Keeping Families Close

Ronald McDonald House South Island launches National Street Appeal

More than 500 street collectors will be out in force this Friday (June 10) across Canterbury and Southland as part of Ronald McDonald House South Island’s National Street Appeal.

Last year, Ronald McDonald House South Island (RMHSI) provided a home away from home for more than 1,000 families, enabling families to be stronger together and focus on what really matters – helping their children heal.

While hospitals look after the medical care of the child, RMHSI facilities take care of the emotional, practical and financial burdens of the family.

“This is because we believe that when families are together, they heal better,” says RMHSI CEO Matthew Mark.

“Our facilities are there to bring some normalcy and support to families during a time of great need.”

Not only can those that need to travel to Christchurch Hospital for their children’s treatment stay at the 26-room House in Christchurch, the addition of the Ronald McDonald Family Room, Southland Hospital in 2013 means that families with children on the neonatal and children’s wards can be supported closer to home.

“Although we wish that families never needed to stay with us, there is an ongoing requirement for our services,” says Matthew, who added both facilities often run at full capacity.

One of those families was the Pinder-Anglesey family, based just south of Timaru in the small rural community of Pareora.

Fifteen-year-old Liam Pinder-Anglesey and his family found solace at Ronald McDonald House South Island between gruelling chemotherapy sessions, blood transfusions and surgeries at Christchurch Hospital.

After spending 200 nights at the House with his mum Natasha since October last year, Liam now calls the House his ‘second home’.

Despite the upheaval of Liam’s medical journey, Natasha, Anthony and their children thank Ronald McDonald House for keeping their family close.

Without fail, Anthony and Liam’s brother and sisters took the two-and-a-half hour drive from Pareora to the House in Christchurch every weekend to reunite the Pinder-Anglesey family.

Anthony is unsure what the family would have done without the Christchurch facilities.

“We would have either had to commute or stay at a motor camp, either way it would have been a huge financial burden.”

Anthony and Natasha beam with pride when talking about Liam’s optimism despite the blood, sweat and tears that have defined his cancer journey, describing their son as an ‘absolute trooper’.

“Even through the lowest of the lows he still sees the light at the end of the tunnel, no matter what,” says Natasha.

Keep an eye out for Street Collectors across Canterbury and Southland this Friday June 10, and to find out more or to donate, visitwww.rmhsi.org.nz.

ENDS

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