House with Heart Appeals – June 7

MEDIA RELEASE

4 June 2013

House with Heart Appeals – June 7

Street collectors out to raise much-needed funds for charity

After the building of a brand new Ronald McDonald House in Wellington late last year, friends and supporters will once again come together to raise much needed funds to help keep sick children and their families together.

New Zealand’s three Ronald McDonald Houses provide a home away from home to a total of 4,015 families annually. With demand for the Houses increasing, funds raised today will help enable even more families to stay together, draw strength for their journey and focus all their energy on what really matters - their child, because nothing else really matters. While hospitals look after the medical care of the child, New Zealand’s Ronald McDonald Houses take care of the emotional, practical and financial needs of the family In 2012 over 400 families from Taranaki, Wairarapa, Kapiti, Horowhenua, Wanganui, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson, Marlborough and further, travelled to the Ronald McDonald House in Wellington whilst their child received specialist care in nearby Wellington Hospital. This number will in increase for 2013 with the bigger House now available to help more families.

“It is a privilege to be able to welcome families to our new House and help so many families at such a critical time of their lives.” Says Lesley Slieker, CEO Ronald McDonald House Wellington. “

Families never pay to stay at any Ronald McDonald House in New Zealand. All services of the Ronald McDonald Houses are provided free of charge thanks to the generosity of individuals, businesses, community groups, grant and other philanthropic bodies”. Lesley hopes many people will open both their hearts and their wallets for the Ronald McDonald House on Friday. “Every dollar helps us keep our doors open to help so many families, please give generously to the street collectors on Friday.”

Your local ASB branches are accepting donations and keep a look out for Ronald McDonald House street collectors on Friday June 7 or visit www.ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.nz/donate. -ENDS- About Ronald McDonald Houses: • Ronald McDonald Houses are three chartable Trusts based in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. • The Houses provide free accommodation and support to families who have needed to travel to these cities when their children require specialist medical treatment not available in their local hospital.

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