We provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare.
Since 1991, our 31-room Ronald McDonald House has been a beacon of hope and support, serving over 30,000 families and saving them more than $7.4 million in accommodation costs. Nestled in the Randwick Health precinct on Barker Street, our House is dedicated to serving families every single day of the year, providing a sanctuary during challenging times.
Our House is equipped with four isolation units, catering to families from regional and rural NSW, ACT, South Australia, Northern Territory, and the Pacific Islands.
Our primary focus is to alleviate the pressure on Sydney Children’s Hospital by accommodating sick children at our House, thus freeing up hospital beds for other patients in need.
We take pride in being a ‘home away from home,’ offering a supportive and comforting environment where families can find respite and relief. Through our unwavering commitment and the generous support of our community, we continue to make a significant impact in the lives of those we serve.
In 1981 children’s charities were forever changed in Australia when the first Ronald McDonald House opened its doors in NSW.
Since then, the charity has grown to 18 Houses across the country as well as 18 Family Rooms, 5 Family Retreats, 1 Care Mobile and our National Learning Program.
Australia’s first Ronald McDonald House was located next to the former Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children in Camperdown NSW, before moving to Westmead in 1995 when the hospital relocated. With demand increasing the “Building Love” campaign was initiated to raise funds to build a new House. In 2018 a new House was opened, doubling the original capacity.
Thanks to the generosity of the community, our vital partners, our incredible staff and our tireless volunteers, today Programs we deliver across Australia support more than 40,000 families each year.
Our Learning Program was launched in 1999 to support seriously ill children who had missed months, or even years, of school. This was a word-first Australian initiative to ensure that seriously ill children weren’t further disadvantaged by also falling behind at school. Providing one-on-one tuition from qualified teachers, this Program has had a significant impact on the confidence and future prospects of children who have battled serious illness.
Our first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia, PA, USA, in 1974, after recognising the need for parents to stay close to their hospitalised child. As we opened more House Programs around the world, it became clear that caring for the family of a sick child was as important as caring for the child.
That was the beginning of our unique role as a children’s charity, enabling, supporting and facilitating family-centered care. Our Ronald McDonald House Programs, located near top children’s hospitals, allow parents who are far from home to stay close to their hospitalised child and benefit from the comforts of home without incurring hotel and food costs.
Ronald McDonald Family Room Programs offer a quiet respite for all families right in the hospital. And Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Programs bring fundamental medical and dental care to undeserved communities.
Parents don’t know when their children will need medical help. But they should know they can always access the care they need. And with your help, we can support them all throughout their journey.
