Keeping families close

The overwhelming kindness of strangers

It wasn’t until November 2020, when her son Buddie was born at just 36 weeks, that the significance of the Ronald McDonald Family Room in Southland Hospital really hit home. “I’d had a few complications during my pregnancy and had been monitored pretty frequently as a result. At 36 weeks, I ended... Read more about Former Southern Steel captain Wendy Frew has been an avid supporter of Ronald McDonald House South Island since her netball days when her team chose the organisation as their Charity of Choice.

Money Box hosts are an important part of our fundraising community. Here, Rebecca Excell from the Winton Night ‘n Day, shares her story – she has recently put a Money Box on their store counter. “I had heard of Ronald McDonald House South Island but to be honest, did not know the extent of the aw... Read more about

William's Journey

When William was born, we discovered he had a genetic condition called Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS), which is an overgrowth disorder. Unfortunately, this condition makes him more susceptible to some childhood cancers, including Hepatoblastoma and Wilms Tumours. William was being screened reg... Read more about William was just 9 months old when it was discovered he had Hepatoblastoma and began his treatment at Christchurch Hospital, which continued during the country-wide Lockdown period. His Mum Sabrina shares their journey this year.

A year in the life of Stevie, Clint and Baby Harvey

Stevie White and partner Clinton from the West Coast had spent more than 50 nights at Ronald McDonald House South Island prior to and after the birth of son Harvey. Harvey was born prematurely and has a cleft lip and palate which would require ongoing treatment in Christchurch. Stevie is sharing ... Read more about In this new series, Stevie White from the West Coast shares her family’s journey over the year as they seek treatment for baby Harvey’s cleft palate. 1 in 700 children are affected by cleft palate.

Beyond Words: Jan Nottingham

It’s been a busy morning for Ronald McDonald House South Island overnight supervisor Jan Nottingham as she prepares for a well-deserved break. With handover done, the kitchen cleaned, morning chats with families as they leave for a day at the hospital, Jan sits down to take a breather. She places... Read more about Meet our Local House Hero and why she loves doing what she does

Second Time Around

The mother of two from Otama spent five weeks in the Family Room after son Toby was born nine weeks early in 2016. “When we were there it was like you were at a ‘home away from home’ really. The rooms were awesome and being so close to the Neonatal Unit meant you could get up and feed your baby r... Read more about Jenna Orpwood knows better than most just how valuable the Ronald McDonald Family Room in Southland Hospital is.

Community Aroha:

“The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of their commitment to make a difference in the lives of others.” There’s something to be said for the way this organisation has been blessed with so many wonderful volunteers. They’re a huge part of what makes Ronald McDonald Ho... Read more about How our volunteers have been doing over the Covid-19 Lockdown

Resilience, Courage and Lockdown: A Father's Journey

Not only has he had to live through the national lockdown due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, his six-year-old daughter Brianna has undergone treatment for a tumour and his wife has given birth to their fourth child. Darrin shares his story here.   It was in January life took a sharp turn. Our da... Read more about A lot has changed for Dunedin father Darrin Steedman over the past few months.

Then and Now: Millie-Rose Cowan

The House had been their home in 2016 and 2017 when Millie-Rose, then aged 3, was receiving treatment for Metastatic Neuroblastoma. Now seven-years-old, the memories of what happened at the House are somewhat distant, but the people who helped her through the tough time are firmly engraved in her... Read more about It’s been three years since Millie-Rose Cowan, mum Carole and brother Xavier from Dunedin last stepped foot into Ronald McDonald House South Island.

A year in the life of Stevie, Clint and Baby Harvey

Stevie and her partner Clinton have already spent 53 nights at Ronald McDonald House South Island before and after Harvey was born, and will be back and forth during the year. I suppose our journey first started when I went into labour at 26 weeks. I was on the West Coast and was still working. I... Read more about In this new series, Stevie White from the West Coast shares her family’s journey over the year as they seek treatment for baby Harvey’s cleft palate. 1 in 700 children are affected by cleft palate.