The charitable organisation that provides care and support to families with a seriously ill or injured child has created the 30-day Great Kindness Challenge to encourage locals to complete a daily good deed for a good cause.

From buying groceries for an elderly neighbour to leaving a thank you note out for the postman, the Great Kindness Challenge asks people across Northern NSW to be the kindness the world needs right now, whilst raising funds to support families who need it the most.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW’s CEO, Ross Bingham, said whilst we all have a little bit more time on our hands due to the coronavirus restrictions around work and leisure, we can make a positive impact on those around us who need the support the most.

“This time should be about making a difference for other people, and simple acts of kindness can really have an impact on someone who is finding the current situation challenging,” Ross said.

Ross said whilst everyone’s been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, the consequences are even greater for families who have travelled far from home to get their child medical help for a life-threatening illness or injury.

“Social distancing and self-isolation are new to most of us. But for many of the families who access our services, it has been their way of life for weeks, months and even years. Catching a cold can be life-threatening for a child, so self-isolation is a means of survival,” Ross said.

“The families who come to us already struggle to find time to work, shop, and cook for themselves whilst being far from home so their child can get the help they need. They need our help more than ever.”

All funds raised from the Great Kindness Challenge will go directly towards supporting the services that provide a home away from home for families with a seriously ill or injured child.

To help double the impact that local kindness heroes can make, Greater Bank have come on board to gift match donations from the community up to $3,000.

Greater Bank’s Head of Marketing and Customer Experience, Matthew Hingston said they are proud to support Ronald McDonald House as it adapts to an ever-changing and challenging landscape.

“We have all experienced great change due to COVID-19, however one thing that remains the same for Greater Bank is our commitment to supporting the communities that support us,” Matt said.

“Through our charitable foundation, we have supported Ronald McDonald House in the Hunter since August 2019 and are delighted to continue this support by getting behind the Great Kindness Challenge.

“It will not only provide important financial assistance to a valued partner, but also spread plenty of goodwill across our community at a time where we could all do with additional support.”

Emily’s parents, Nathan and Suzie, are just one of many who have sought the help from Ronald McDonald House Charities so they can stay nearby to the hospital providing vital medical care to their daughter.

After being diagnosed with Leukemia at just three-years-old, Emily’s parents and two sisters have spent more than 419 nights at Ronald McDonald House so they could be by their child’s hospital bed, which is located far away from home, school, their families and friends.

Accommodation, home-cooked meals and support are provided to families in need at no cost to them.

“We were told to take Emily to the nearest hospital immediately. They said not to pack a bag, and we didn’t have time to think about what was happening. We just had to grab our keys and go,” Nathan said.

“Without Ronald McDonald House Charities, I don’t know what we would have done. Once we got over the initial shock, we would have looked for accommodation options, but we’d be in real financial strain.”

Locals are putting their hands up to take the Great Kindness Challenge over autumn, with 30-days of kind deeds easily able to be completed from home.

For more details and to take the Great Kindness Challenge, visit The Great Kindness Challenge page.

IMAGE | Emily with her sister and parents, Nathan and Suzie, at Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW.