Happy 15th Birthday

Since opening its doors on March 9 in 2003, our Christchurch House has been more than just a building, it has become a ‘home away from home’ for more than 7,000 families.

Ronald McDonald House South Island Trust was formed in 1999 by a voluntary Board of Trustees, who passionately fundraised along with a number of founding partners, to open the House in 2003 with 12 rooms.

After two subsequent expansions in 2004 and 2010 due to increasing demand, the facility now accommodates families in 26 rooms.

The House suffered extensive damage in the February 2011 earthquake, and was reduced to half its capacity for 18 months while repair work was undertaken on the main wing.

However our doors were never closed. If there was no room onsite we put families up in a nearby motel room free of charge.

We loved hosting our volunteers and supporters with a special birthday party in March, to say thank you to each and every person who has ensured our doors remain open today, tomorrow and into the future.

Our longest serving volunteers Elizabeth Ineson and Bill Graves cut our 15th Birthday cake