Community builds an entire house in 21 days for childhood cancer research

Community builds an entire house in 21 days for childhood cancer research

To mark international Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Children’s Cancer Institute, McDonald Jones Homes, McCloy Group and Austral Bricks have joined forces to undertake an extraordinary challenge – building an entire house in just 21 days.

Every inch of the house is being generously donated from a suite of corporate partners and community groups – including the land, all materials, labour and furnishings.

The house build commenced on Monday and will be built in The Bower estate in Medowie, with the Newcastle and Port Stephens communities rallying together to take on this monumental task.

Once complete, the home and its contents will be auctioned off with all proceeds going towards funding further research at the Children’s Cancer Institute.

The Executive Director of the Children’s Cancer Institute, Professor Michelle Haber AM said this will be the fourth Build for a Cure, with the initiative raising over $2 million to date.


“Children’s Cancer Institute exists purely to put an end to childhood cancer. 950 Australian children are diagnosed with cancer every year with 50 of those children hailing from the Hunter Region,” Michelle said.

“In spite of significant advances in survival rates, still three children are dying from cancer each week in Australia; we won’t stop until this number is zero. Our goal is to save the lives of all children with cancer and improve their long-term health through research.”

Build for a Cure Ambassador, Scott Cam said he is excited for this year’s build to commence.

“It’s not every day you see an entire house built in just 21 days. It’s remarkable to see the hundreds of volunteers who work together to make this happen. On day one of the build we start with just a slab and by sunset all of the framework is up and roof truss on,” Scott said.

“The Build for a Cure home is the ultimate package. It’s a masterfully-built home, finished with professional interior design, immaculate landscaping and high-quality appliances all set in the beautiful Hunter region suburb of Medowie.”

The local businesses and community members are amongst many who are helping to complete the build.

  • McDonald Jones Homes – donating the house design and materials;
  • McCloy Group – donating the land;
  • Austral Bricks – donating the bricks;
  • Freedom – donating the interior design and furnishings;
  • Fisher & Paykel and Winning – donating appliances and whitegoods;
  • PRDNationwide – donating the release estate campaign, featuring celebrity Auctioneer Damien Cooley;
  • Dr Frank Alvaro and John Hunter Children’s Hospital;
  • Hundreds of local tradies – donating their time and expertise, day and night;
  • Kurri Rotary Club – helping to support and feed the volunteers around the clock; and
  • Domain, NBN/Channel 9 and HitFM – media partners

On reveal day Scott Cam will be joined by McCloy Ambassador Mitchell Pearce, as well as a host of special guests including past contestants of The Block, children’s cancer survivors and their families, medical researchers, architects, builders and interior designers.

IMAGE | Celebrities, supporters, tradies and guests of Children’s Cancer Institute on the site of the next Build for a Cure home.

McDonald Jones

McDonald Jones is one of Australia's leading new home builders, offering new homes and house and land packages.

Founded in 1987 by Bill McDonald, for over 25 years McDonald Jones have helped thousands of homeowners create the homes of their dreams.

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