Tennis fans show support of Ronald McDonald House Auckland

Immediate Release

Date: 9 January 2015

Tennis fans show their support of Ronald McDonald House Auckland

Last night the Heritage Hotels’ Charity Night including Heritage Auckland Lobbo was held at the New Zealand Festival of Tennis in support of Ronald McDonald House Auckland (RMHA). RMHA was pleased to selected as the official charity for the event. Heritage Hotels has supported RMHA through volunteers, and providing accommodation and resources over the past 8 years.

The audience purchased nearly 6000 tagged tennis balls which they then lobbed into centre court aiming for two Heritage Auckland barrels. Three winners were draw from all the balls that landed in the barrels. This was followed by a charity auction which had a great response from the crowd.

Wayne Howett CEO of Ronald McDonald House Auckland watched the Heritage Auckland Lobbo from the dugout as thousands of balls were lobbed into centre court. He stated, “The Heritage Auckland Lobbo is an amazing event to watch! It’s great to see so many people from all over New Zealand support RMHA in such a fun way. Heritage Hotels has been a great supporter of RMHA for the past 8 years and we’re really looking forward to continue to work with them in the future. A huge thank you to Heritage Auckland and Tennis Auckland for making this opportunity possible”.

Over $11,000 was raised through the event and all the money will be going towards a new indoor play area at Ronald McDonald House Auckland’s newest facility, a few hundred metres from the ASB Tennis Arena.

The Prince family who are currently staying at the House in Grafton Mews describe the impact of the house; ““Having the House behind us, in so many different ways, has made our journey so much easier”.

The new play area will be part of a wider development which will see approximately 18 additional family bedrooms added to the Grafton Mews House, a much needed addition to keep up with the growing demand for RMHA’s services for families from across New Zealand.

ENDS

About Ronald McDonald House Auckland

RMHA takes care of families from all over the country whose children require medical treatment. RMHA not only provides accommodation, but also a wider support programme that seeks to alleviate some of the financial, emotional and practical burdens that our families may face during what is already a highly stressful time. In 2013, more than 2,200 families from all around the country made RMHA their home away from home when a child in their family required medical treatment.

© Scoop Media