Following the announcement of the Mackay Base Hospital expansion project and subsequent relocation of the Ronald McDonald Family Room in Mackay, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) North Australia are proud to announce a major extension for their care of sick and injured children in the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsundays region.
The Charity has introduced the launch of the RMHC Hospitality Cart, operating at the Mackay Base Hospital to continue servicing families with sick and injured children when they need it most.
The RMHC Hospitality Cart delivers care items at no cost to sick or injured children and their families in the Children’s Wards including the Paediatric Ward, Paediatric Oncology Day Unit, Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and more.
Samantha Baker, Community Engagement Executive for RMHC Mackay and the Whitsundays said, “we have an amazing team of volunteers every week and it’s filled by kind donations from the community as well as our three amazing sponsors on board, which really helps with purchasing all the items and making sure it’s fully stocked every single day.
“Any family member that has a child receiving treatment here can get items off the cart, it’s not just for the patient, but also for the family and siblings as well,” Samantha added.
“We have so many amazing toys, snacks and meals for families at no cost at all so that just takes a massive financial burden off them and gives them and their kids some things to do.”
In the last 12 months, over 4,730 families have been supported by the RMHC Hospitality Carts, with over 15,290 care items supplied.
Volunteers say that “the children’s faces light up like Christmas when they see the toys.”
Dr. Charles Pain, Chief Medical Officer, Mackay Base Hospital with Samantha Baker, Community Engagement Executive for RMHC Mackay
RMHC North Australia Hospitality Cart Volunteers Sue Bartlett and Sue Trask
Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
