Keeping families close

New parents’ proposal joy

When Queenstown’s Blair Wilson got down on one knee in Room 15 of our Christchurch House, his partner Nina Boyes’ answer was easy – an overwhelming yes, amongst a few happy tears. Nina is staying at the House while the couple’s baby Flynn is in Christchurch Hospital’s NICU after a very early arri... Read more about Nina and Blair celebrate their engagement at our Christchurch House

Room Sponsor Spotlight

A passion for giving back to their community was the driving force behind a group of teenagers’ decision to sponsor a room at our Christchurch House. Papanui High School are now the proud sponsors of the Teenagers Room, a space of solace and relaxation for teenagers staying in our facility. Famil... Read more about Papanui High School

Regular Giving Heroes

Helping families stay together during tough times was the inspiration behind a Southland family’s decision to donate regularly to Ronald McDonald House South Island. Lisa and Mathew Grace from Mataura have been giving regular donations to support both our Christchurch House and Southland Family R... Read more about “Every little bit helps so don’t think you can’t make a difference!”

Volunteer Spotlight

Supper Club superstars Rachel and Sian have been helping bring together major fundraising events for over 5 years!   These two are regulars in the office with both of them donating their time every Tuesday. The initial drive to volunteer came after they attended different fundraising events ... Read more about Supper Club Superstars

Little brothers, big love

Otatara parents Kate and Richard Affleck have experienced the scary reality of having a baby arrive sooner than expected – not once, but twice. Richard and Kate called the Ronald McDonald Family Room, Southland Hospital ‘home’ for nine nights when their first son Max was born five weeks ear... Read more about Sometimes the littlest things take up the most room in your heart - a saying parents of babies born prematurely know all too well.

The Southern Trust

Ronald McDonald House South Island CEO Mandy Kennedy says the organisation is thrilled to receive a $28,000 grant from The Southern Trust to cover operational costs at our Christchurch House. “For families who stay with us, being far away from home with a child in hospital is an incredibly stress... Read more about Providing a ‘home away from home’ for families in Christchurch

House Heroes - Coffee Culture

Since 2005, Coffee Culture have been long-time supporters of the House, generously donating vouchers, endless amounts of much-needed coffee and lending a hand during our Annual Appeal. One of Coffee Culture’s owners, Sacha Coburn says she knows from personal experience the importance of having fa... Read more about "We firmly believe that when it comes to life, and the challenges that happen, we're all in this together"

Ronald McDonald House

At Ronald McDonald House South Island, we know that when a family has a child in hospital, being together matters. That is why it was amazing to see more than 1000 collectors hit the streets across the South Island on Friday May 11, and so many individuals donate to support families. Small change... Read more about Family Appeal 2018

Then and Now: Lincoln the Lion

Looking at two-year-old Lincoln today, you would not believe he weight just over 4 pounds when he was born at 33 weeks. But what he lacked in weight he made up for with noise. He came screaming into the world and was quickly nicknamed Lincoln the Lion for his big set of lungs. First-time parents ... Read more about 'Lincoln the Lion' and his family spent 20 nights in the Family Room at Southland Hospital.

Volunteer Spotlight

Keeping our Christchurch House secure and the families safe is all in a night’s work for young couple Tim and Miller. Tim and Miller are Afterhours superstars, who regularly give up their Friday and Saturday night’s to look after the Christchurch House and stay in our volunteer room. After in-hou... Read more about Afterhours Superstars