No child should have to face Christmas in hospital alone.
Spending holidays in hospital is an ordeal for anyone. And if you’re a child who’s been waiting for Christmas all year, the thought of being miles away from home and family is nothing short of heartbreaking. But with your help, ill and injured children won’t have to face Christmas in hospital alone.
You can give hope, strength and courage to a family like Fletcher’s.
Families like Fletcher’s turn to Ronald McDonald House Charities when life takes an unexpected turn, and your support helps keep them together through the toughest times.
In August 2023, Fletcher and his whole family came down with influenza. But when Fletcher started shaking so badly he was unable to walk or see properly, his parents knew something else was seriously wrong.
A trip to Ayr Hospital quickly led to Townsville, and then to Brisbane. There, Fletcher was diagnosed with Opsoclonus-Myoclonus-Ataxia Syndrome (OMAS), a rare autoimmune disorder. An MRI also revealed a tumour on his kidney.
From that moment, Fletcher’s journey became one of resilience, treatment, and hope. He underwent chemotherapy, surgery to remove his tumour, and immunosuppressant therapy.
Throughout it all, his parents Ashton and Klyde, and his sisters Caydence and Seiarah, have been by his side, giving him love and laughter and helping him to light up like the smiley, happy go lucky kid he is.
"In a time when you’re stressed and overwhelmed, RMHC SEQ gave us a safe space. We weren’t alone. We were surrounded by people who understood exactly what we were going through."
– Ashton, Fletcher’s mum
During their five-month stay, Fletcher’s family was able to be together, along with grandparents, extended family, and friends.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities SEQ team made sure their individual circumstances were understood and appreciated. Small acts, like connecting with other families in the same situation, helped alleviate the isolation and stress that comes with hospital stays.
With your help, time spent in hospital doesn’t have to mean time apart. Your generosity allows families like the Turners to stay close to the specialist care their children need – giving both parents and children strength and comfort through the most challenging moments.
Time away from home doesn’t have to mean time away from family.
Your Christmas gift to RMHC SEQ will give more Queensland kids the courage they need to face tough treatments and time in hospital, far from home.
Your donation will be used to provide a home away from home for the families of children who are spending the holidays in hospital. Our Houses provide a family with all they need to spend quality time together.
Give $25 to provide home-cooked mealsProvide home-cooked meals: Keeps our cupboards stocked up with food and household items. |
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Give $55 to provide educationHelps pay for one hour of tutoring for an ill child who is catching up on missed schooling. |
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Give $100 to provide a safe environmentHelps to ensure our Houses are clean and safe for our little guests. |
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Give $160 to provide comfortHelps with one night of vital accommodation for a family when they need it most. |
