RRT Invercargill raises funds for Ronald McDonald House Charity

The smiling face of Ronald McDonald is certainly a familiar face to all young kiwi kids, most likely associated with their McDonalds happy meal!

The name ‘Ronald McDonald’ extends far beyond the big yellow M, and to some New Zealand families, is a place they spend several days, weeks or even months while their sick children are receiving care – known has the Ronald McDonald House (RMHC).

Every week, families arrive at hospitals away from their homes with a child in need of urgent medical treatment. Since 1991, in four cities across NZ, Ronald McDonald House have been there to offer these families a place to stay near their children, free of charge.

Providing accommodation allows the families to focus on their children, relieves the stress of traveling and of course offers a warm heart of special care to parents and families who are coming to terms with their child’s illness.

On Saturday 26th June, Ronald McDonald House Southland invited RRT to participate in a great fundraising event called ‘Host A Roast’. The event was held at the local Invercargill Stadium, and coincided with the annual Home Show event and of course the usual Saturday morning sports rush.

*RRT BBQ lunch set up to catch the Saturday morning crowds*

From 11am the delicious smell of burgers began to draw the crowds, and by 2pm the team had made and sold 220 classic burgers and over 200 sausage sandwiches. Sales reached a total of $1,975.65 which was all donated to RMHC Invercargill to support the families that stay at the Family Room at Southland Hospital.

*A hearty menu, enough to make your mouth water*

Andie Gentle, local funding manager for RMHC, expressed her gratitude for the “really impressive donation”, and said “Awareness is a mega part of what we are aiming to achieve, so to be out in the public eye like that, aligned with both the Stadium and the very slick RRT crew, really is invaluable for us.”

*Presenting the funds to Family Room at Southland Hospital*

RRT Invercargill are certain this is just the beginning of what will be an ongoing, positive and mutually beneficial connection with RMHC, and the team are only too happy to be a part of that.