A partnership between Greater Charitable Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW (RMHC NNSW) has reached a milestone in easing the financial burdens on families with a sick child, saving them over $1.3 million.
Among the thousands of families throughout Northern NSW to have benefited is Port Macquarie’s Dimitri and her son Tate who are expected to save more than $25,000 during their time at the Newcastle Ronald McDonald House.
After being diagnosed with B-Cell Leukaemia at just two years old, Tate and his family had to travel from their home in Port Macquarie to receive life-saving treatment in Newcastle at the John Hunter Children’s Hospital.
Dimitri said she knew the difference the House was going to have, having previously stayed at the House seven years ago with her own mum.
“The biggest impact has been for our kids; everyone is so welcoming, and the kids have a playground, so the House doesn’t feel like we are living in a hospital,” she said.
The Stronger Together Partnership was established in 2022 and has already achieved life- changing outcomes helping to ease the financial and emotional burdens families face when their child is diagnosed with a serious illness.
“If the House wasn’t here, our journey would have been so much harder – we would have had to relocate to Newcastle and find a house to rent. I don’t want to think about the financial implications this would have had for our family.”
Dimitri and Tate have called Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle their home since April and will continue to stay at the House for the duration of his treatment.
Greater Bank’s Chief Distribution Officer, Emma Brokate, said the organisation is honoured to help support families in need.
“It is incredibly moving to reach this milestone and see the difference our funding is making in the lives of families like Dimitri and Tate, and we are honoured to help offer support and comfort when it matters most.”
In the past two years, over 250 of NGM Group’s employees, of which Greater Charitable Foundation is part of, have volunteered hundreds of hours to supporting RMHC NNSW by making meals, fundraising and donating goods.
Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW CEO, Ross Bingham said Greater Charitable Foundation funding makes an enormous difference to the charity’s impact.
“As a community owned and operated charity, we rely on the generosity of the community and the significant support we’ve received from Greater Charitable Foundation has helped thousands of families in a time of great need.
“Based on independent research by Social Ventures Australia, for every $1 invested by the Greater Charitable Foundation we’ve been able to deliver $3.60 social and economic value back into our communities,” Ross said.
“That can be through our accommodation services at the Ronald McDonald Houses in Newcastle or Tamworth, free tutoring for students who have missed out on schooling, the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at John Hunter Children’s Hospital in Newcastle or at Gosford Hospital, or they can also enjoy some well-deserved vacation time at our Family Retreat in Forster.
“I can’t thank Greater Charitable Foundation enough for their support, which has saved families throughout Northern NSW more than $1.3 million in the last three years.
IMAGE | Ross Bingham with Emma Brokate
