Families of seriously ill or injured children face many challenges when they support a child throughout their hospital stay.
One is how to manage care when hospitals are miles away from home.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) have provided families with home-away-from home accommodation close to hospitals for over 40 years.
LG Electronics Australia has recently partnered with the charity to donate more than $260,000 in home appliances, entertainment products and air-conditioning systems to refurbish Ronald McDonald Houses across Australia.
“Working with RMHC enables us to use our products to help families, whilst providing much needed funding and support for the organisation,” said Gemma Lemieux, Marketing Director, LG Electronics Australia
It can be extremely tough to keep families together, when they need to travel for a child’s treatment.
The houses, in metropolitan and regional locations, and family rooms in hospitals, allow carers a more comfortable alternative to spending the night next to their child in a hospital ward.
Barbara Ryan, CEO Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia said, “The work with LG will deliver more comfortable experiences for thousands of Australian families every year.”
“The partnership will put LG products and funds to work for the benefit of our families,” Ms Ryan said.
The Ronald McDonald houses also provide support from staff, volunteers and other families that are sharing similar experiences.
Family rooms, located inside the hospital, allow carers to take time for a meal, shower and rest, while still moments away from their child’s bedside.
Women with high-risk pregnancies who don’t want to stay in a hospital ward, but need to be closely monitored, also use the accommodation.
Comfort, wellbeing and the safety of the house is key to a positive experience for families.
“Our success is rightly measured by the level of outstanding care we provide our families,” said Ms Ryan.
Individual Ronald McDonald Houses cover their own operating expenses, raised through donations from local service clubs, local businesses, local McDonald’s Licensees, special events and general fundraising activities.
Funds raised by national campaigns and events are distributed between houses and programs across the country.
As part of their partnership with RMHC, LG Electronics will also provide cash donations to projects throughout 2022 such as volunteer programs and promotional and fundraising activities on behalf of RMHC through LG communications channels.
The RMHC partnership is part of LG Electronics Australia’s broader community program that aims to help Australian families rediscover the good in their everyday lives.
“LG is passionate about helping those in the community and is proud to partner with RMHC,” said Ms Lemieux.
The first Ronald McDonald House in Australia was opened in Camperdown, NSW in 1981.
Patricia Jenkins
Patricia has been involved with many charities and not for profits, both local and global. Her undergraduate studies in International Studies, combined with experiences from living, working and travelling overseas has given her a unique perspective of both global and local issues. Patricia has spent time working at a Media Production House in China, and holds post graduate qualifications in Film & TV (Producing), and Journalism. She has always been involved with organisations that aim to create social and environmental awareness, impact and change.
