Charitable partnership set in concrete

Auckland, 6 May –Families joined Brookfield Multiplex in a ceremony to celebrate its support of Ronald McDonald House (RMH) Auckland Trust. The leading contracting and development company today announced over $220,000 of donated work in kind and a significant donation towards the building of RMH Auckland Trust’s Grafton Mews.

The occasion was marked with representatives from RMH Auckland Trust and Brookfield Multiplex casting their hands in cement.

Grafton Mews is RMH Auckland Trust’s newest family accommodation facility and has 18 rooms including two transplant units, customised disabled rooms, standard rooms, laundries, living areas and a playground. In total the RMH Auckland Trust now has 79 rooms available to referred families, the largest room capacity in Australasia.

Phase one of the Grafton Mews development including the purchase of the building and refurbishment of the first wing of 18 rooms cost $7m and a further 20 rooms are planned.

The Trust provides shelter for families from anywhere in New Zealand whose children have to be in Auckland for treatment at Starship Children’s Hospital.

“The team at Brookfield Multiplex really believe in this cause and being able to make lives easier for families in difficult, stressful times,” says Tim Pope, Brookfield Multiplex Regional Managing Director, New Zealand.

“We are proud to be involved in the construction of Grafton Mews and the project has been a wonderful testament to the generosity of all those who played a part,” says Tim Pope.

As the primary contractor, Brookfield Multiplex took a collaborative approach with RMH Auckland Trust to ensure the provision of sub-contractors, supply of required labour and materials for the project.

Brookfield Multiplex called on its established network of suppliers to fulfil requirements at minimum cost and also assisted RMH Auckland Trust to deliver key items.

“We’re very pleased to have the support of Brookfield Multiplex. The Trust values this generous corporate citizenship and we encourage others to follow suit,” says Wayne Howett, CEO, RMH Auckland Trust.

“Our service could not exist without the support of over 600 volunteers, generous donors, corporate partners and community groups,” says Wayne Howett. “ Yet there is still a significant need for more involvement from donors and supporters to complete the Grafton Mews project”.

In 2010 the RMH Auckland Trust provided over 23,000 room nights to families. In 2011 this is expected to increase to over 24,000 and the new Grafton Mews will assist in meeting this demand.

“Brookfield Multiplex is extremely happy to have been able to use our skills and relationships in the property industry to contribute to a cause that will make an immediate difference in these families’ lives,” says Tim Pope.

ENDS

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