News archive — Summer 2009
- An early Christmas gift
- Welcome RMHA St Martins, thanks to you
- Supper Club dance
- Family Garden project blossoms
- Family Dinner magic
- Mid-winter festive fun
- NZ’s top surfer drops in
- 10/10 for school fundraising
- Te Aroha town and country feast
- Jason’s quest for fame
- Cutting edge fundraiser
- One stop candy shop
- The Mad Butcher doesn’t mince words!
- Our growing 500 club — thanks to Brokerweb
- A warm welcome
- Students muck in
- A deserving accolade
- Goodbye Jessamy
An early Christmas gift
For the fifth year running, Ronald McDonald House Auckland is fortunate to be the recipient of Southern Stars Charitable Trust’s annual telephone appeal.
The appeal runs from Monday 14 September until Friday 6 November and is driven by our trust partner, the Rotary Club of Downtown Auckland.
Southern Stars will perform three Christmas pantomimes for disadvantaged children on Saturday 5 December at Auckland’s Logan Campbell Centre. Individuals and businesses will be invited to pay for these show seats, with a percentage of their donation coming directly to the House.
If you or someone you know receives a telephone call during this appeal and have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact us on +64 9 303 1365 or email .
For more information on the work of Southern Stars Charitable Trust please visit www.southernstars.org.nz
Welcome RMHA St Martins, thanks to you
Yes! Our new 16 self contained apartments opened their doors early in July.
Our Trust is now able to offer families in our care not 61 rooms every night but a massive 77! And not a moment too soon, as the news Wellington’s oncology unit was closing came just as we tied up our lease! No, we haven’t waved a magic wand and grown the House nor indeed have we bought one. Instead we have been very fortunate to negotiate a medium term lease on two self contained floor s of a new apartment building close by. This was one of the many developments in the country that simply couldn’t be completed as planned due to the credit crunch, otherwise it may well have been out of our reach.
16 apartments have become home to some of the families referred to us — mainly two bedrooms, some one bedroom, they have all the amenities of home, plus a few more some of us would like to have such as a heated swimming pool in the basement! And this week, all of them were completely full so they came onstream at just the right time!
RMHA St Martins will be staffed with some lovely smiling RMH faces — watch this space to find out just who our new custodians are soon! We have one apartment set aside so this couple will be on site ensuring families have support 24/7. Also there will be a communal space providing a spot for families to mix and mingle, share a meal and the like. Travelling to the hospital will be as painless as we can make it — either a brisk 2 minute walk across Grafton bridge or a quick taxi ride at night or when it is wet — we will be providing families with taxi chits as we do now when we are forced to offsite our families at busy times. Marise our lovely Brazilian housekeeper, whom many of you will remember from the House, will be onsite with Lorraine our Head Housekeeper as her supervisor keeping the apartments spotlessly clean and sparkling.
Of course, the Trust needs to continue to seek a permanent home for our growing mission. But as our need for more rooms is immediate, we are very pleased to welcome St Martins into the family in the interim. Indeed we look forward to saying goodbye to trying to find suitable motels at the last minute for families arriving unexpectedly when our House and Family Room are full. Yes, this does mean at a time most organisations are trying to suck in our belts that the Trust’s expenses will grow, but every family in our care deserves not only a warm and comfy bed but also to be fully supported and RMHA St Martins will allow us to do just that.
A BIG thank you (and a hug) to all of our supporters over the last couple of years. Without your committed backing the Trust wouldn’t have been able to move so quickly to fill our ‘room’ gap — we are extremely grateful to you all, and indeed so are our families.
Supper Club dance
Ronald McDonald House Auckland Business Club present the inaugural ‘Supper Club’ Dance, featuring Shane Cortese and the Class of ’58.
Place — Alexandra Park, Tasman Room.
Time — Saturday, September 12th 2009, 7.30pm-12.30am.
Tickets — $95 each ($950 per table of 10).
Join us for a special evening of fun and friviolity. A retro evening of dance, great music, good cheer with new friends and old, an ‘old fashioned’ supper designed by Ladies a Plate author Alexa Johnson.
Spot prizes — including a trip for two to Samoa, thanks to Pacific Blue and Aggie Grey’s.
Dress — ladies a frock, gents a jacket (no jeans please).
Ticket price includes a glass of champagne on arrival, supper and entertainment. Cash bar available.
Family Garden project blossoms
We are thrilled to say that fundraising for our new family garden is starting to flourish! We are well over half way towards our goal of $40,000 — this is mostly thanks to the hard work and initiative of the students at Diocesan School for Girls.
A ‘Family Fun Day’ was held at Palmers Gardenworld Remuera on 2 August where Dio’s Year 12 students created stalls and put their fundraising skills to the test with sausage sizzles, bake sales, face painting, raffles and more. The day was a huge success, managing to raise $6,500.
If you are interested in helping us reach our goal of providing this much needed outdoor space for our families, in time for summer, please contact Rebecca on +64 9 303 1365 ext 876 or . Alternatively you may make an online donation towards our garden.
Family Dinner magic
The provision of a comfy bed and a clean room for families is just one little component that makes a difference to our families experience while in Auckland. One special ingredient is our regular family dinners. Over the last year we have been fortunate to recruit enough willing helpers (mainly through our growing Business Club) to provide dinner nights twice per week — and sometimes more! This means in a year literally hundreds of volunteers have gifted their time and culinary skills to ensure our families have a delicious hot meal waiting for them at 6 o’clock!
This is what some recent families have said about this wonderful, unexpected bonus:
“We are tired being at the Hospital all day. Thank you to your friendly staff and the awesome volunteers who cooked the lovely meal last night it was awesome to come home to.” — Shane and Kristie Henare, Whangarei
“It’s so lovely here and I am very grateful for the beautiful dinners that have been put on for us when we come down from the hospital, it is so relaxing.” — Keri Taurua, Waikato
“Until you stay here and see the hard work and input of various companies and people you can’t imagine what a great place this is to stay, we really appreciate having this as our ‘home away from home’. Thank you everybody.” — Claire and Craig Fergus, Maungaturoto
Our roster for dinners in 2009 is now largely complete but if you or your group would like to be part of our cooking family in 2010 and we will need new smaller groups for our new RMHA St Martins annex — please email . As always our special thanks to Tegel and the Mad Butcher for their continued support.
Mid-winter festive fun
More than a decade of mid-winter Christmases and it was the best yet!
The fabulous Rowland clan from the Waikato, once again lead by Angela and Tony and their extended band of family and friends, treated House families to yet another cracker midwinter Christmas dinner on June 22nd. The feast included pork, ham, lamb and all of the trimmings (thanks to Sue and Ron once again!).
From 4pm the House rocked to the sound of DJ ‘Going Bananas’, popcorn and slushies kept our kids quiet while our ‘resident’ Carmel’s face painters created works of art. Trixie the Fairy and her clown friend then entertained until dinner was on the table.
Santa arrived with his Elf and gifts for all of the children and a topping banquet dessert (thanks to our lovely chefs) rounded off the evening. And the lovely Rowlands who are McDonald’s franchisees in Tokoroa and Te Awamutu, generously also provided ride-on cars for our littlest guests, a gift that will give pleasure for many seasons to come.
NZ’s top surfer drops in
Hubbards roped in special guest helper Paige Hareb at their recent dinner night. Fresh off the plane from competing overseas she joined the Hubbards team which also included company founder Dick Hubbard and his wife Diana. Hubbards sponsor Paige in her quest to be the world’s best female surfer. Paige confessed though she has surfed waves around the world Raglan will always be her favourite spot. Paige is pictured with oncology patient Liam Dingle and his Mum, Rachel whose home coincidentally is Raglan.
10/10 for school fundraising
Join the family of great schools that fundraise for us from all over the country. Many start because one of their pupils has stayed with us or a friend or a relative, some just decide that they would like to help children less fortunate than themselves, either way we are very grateful. It is a huge help to us and many schools, such as Howick College, have made it an annual project for one of their houses.
If your school is looking for a community charity that your pupils would like to support, we now have a school fundraising pack to help you get started. Jam packed with great ideas for fundraising projects and events it also contains touching family stories from our ‘house kids’ from North Cape to Stewart Island. Many schools like to visit to hand over their proceeds and we are very happy to host you and show you around. To order your free copy please email or phone +64 9 303 1365 ext 876.
Thank you to the following schools who recently came up with their own creative ways to support us: Auckland’s Diocesan School for Girls, Albany Senior High School, Howick College, Kohia Terrace School, Bayfield Primary School, Kristin Middle School, Glenfield Intermediate School and Mount Maunganui Intermediate School. Every bit certainly helps!
Te Aroha town and country feast
Te Aroha Rotary Club and Mountain Lionesses’ annual Rural/Urban Dinner raised $1100 on 18th May, Glen Haddon a House dad until recently who lives nearby, came along with his Dad and was very complementary about the role it played in his little daughter Jenna’s recovery from her oncology treatment. Glen supplemented Beth’s speech with a spontaneous contribution of his own. Club President Tom Stephenson presented the cheque.
Choosing the House as recipient was the brain child of Dr Lawrence who was for many years Te Aroha’s G.P. prior to his retirement. It was entirely coincidental but wonderful to find that he had also delivered Glen into the world. “11 families from the Te Aroha district have stayed with us since 2007 so many people attending on the night knew someone who has had a House experience, it was a very enjoyable night out and I was humbled by the level of support and interest in our cause”, says Beth Harman.
Jason’s quest for fame
Appearing on our TV screens in June with his bizarre mission to become famous was 23 year-old Jason Napier. Jason had discovered he had a potentially fatal brain condition and underwent a risky brain operation on 15 July which we are pleased to say from all accounts he is recovering well from.
“I have forever been on the quest to find the means to become famous.” Jason said. Thanks to the wonders of Facebook he now his own online support group ‘The Make Jason Napier Famous Group’ with over 26,000 (and growing!) members worldwide. Jason is determined to make something positive come from his life threatening experience and has set out to raise funds for two causes close to his heart — The Neurological Foundation and our House: “I’ve realised the importance of having your loved ones so close in times like this is CRUCIAL. You provide this for so many kiwi families and this is my way of saying ‘Thanks!’”
To visit Jason’s fundraising page go to www.givealittle.co.nz and type in keyword ‘Jason Napier’.
Cutting edge fundraiser
The Pukengahu Hall Society near Stratford in Taranaki, held a fundraiser in late 2008 in support of children and families from their region who have stayed with us.
“We’ve had four families in our little community have to stay at the House through accident and illness, and the Society wanted to give something back,” says event organiser Emma Collins.
Keen locals lined up at the local shearing plant to have their heads shaved for the cause, much to the spectators entertainment. A ‘shear’ magic $8,500 was raised! The O’Neill family from Taranaki who have been visiting the House since 2008 while their daughter Heather undergoes chemotherapy, hand delivered a cheque on their last trip to the House in April.
One stop candy shop
A nationwide charity vending programme has been supporting all three Ronald McDonald Houses in NZ since 2008 with a number of Auckland vendors donating a percentage of funds from each of their gourmet candy vending machines to supporting our families.
Auckland-based vendor Amigos Vending, who joined the programme earlier this year, has shown their commitment to the House by also becoming volunteers and members of our growing 500 Club: “We recognise that customers are purchasing from the machines in support of Ronald McDonald House Auckland. As such we feel an obligation to ensure that we do all we can to help the House” — Vance Haywood, Director of Amigos Vending.
If your business could make use of a gourmet candy vending machine (they have healthy options too!) please call us on +64 9 303 1365 ext 876 or email
The Mad Butcher doesn’t mince words!
Well it wasn’t sausages on the menu but at our 2nd of July Bequest Society Luncheon guests were served up a meaty portion of humour by none other than The Mad Butcher himself (aka Peter Leitch).
Peter spoke of his earliest days as a butcher, from owning his first shop to becoming the household name he is now. Despite being interrupted by a phone call from John Key (really?), he recalled his early days of giving discounts to the girls from the Pink Pussy Cat Club (he was single then!), to his role now of Grandad, his passionate support of numerous charities, and his involvement with Rugby League. Thank you Peter for being a long time House supporter and for a most amusing and memorable talk. Perhaps even more thanks must go to his lovely wife Janice who graciously allowed Peter to come and talk to us on her birthday. We hope you had a wonderful day!
Diary this date: Thursday 3rd December — Christmas ‘cracker’ luncheon. Come and celebrate the season and enjoy a luscious lunch with Bequest Society members, families and staff. Our guest speaker is Air NZ pilot Mike Allsop, a keen mountaineer who climbed Mt Everest in 2007. Please feel free to bring a friend or family member with you. RSVP by calling Margaret on +64 9 303 1365.
Our growing 500 club — thanks to Brokerweb
Kevin Allen of Tasman Insurance Brokers, a member of our Business Club, recently introduced his colleague and friend Jim Harris of Brokerweb to the House. After a tour Jim took out 10 units for Brokerweb (plus one for his family), then immediately mailed his network to join him in supporting the 500 Club. So, welcome to these very special group of insurance brokers from all over NZ: Tasman Insurance Brokers Auckland & Fiji; GHI Group Tauranga; Brokerweb group Auckland; Emerre & Hathaway Gisborne; McDonald Everest Insurance Brokers New Plymouth (2 units); Wanganui Insurance Brokers; Thames Valley Insurance Coromandel; OFS Insurance Brokers Dunedin; Oamaru Insurance Brokers; Dyrden, Knight & Associates Orewa; Lowe, Schollum & Jones Ltd Hamilton; Adams, Trimmer Insurance Ltd Whangarei; ODL Group Ltd Christchurch; Ruys & Co Ltd Hamilton; Presland Tocker Insurance Services Cambridge; Hopkins Paton Ltd Auckland; North Harbour Insurance Services Northshore; Murray Hall Insurance Brokers Ltd Whangarei; Hugh Vercoe & Associates Morrinsville; and Reid Manson Ltd Timaru.
Plus welcome too to our other new members: Amigos Vending; Gary & Trish Gwynne; Ian Moody & Amanda Bishop; Daryl Spense; Emily Greig; Stuart Meehan & Bridget Parham. We are now 20% of the way to a full ‘house’.
Want to know more? Call Avis to join! Avis Nelson recently took up the challenge of recruiting for the 500 Club as our volunteer ambassador. No stranger to challenges having been managing director of HouseHold Linens, a company she founded and is still involved with today. For more information on the 500 Club please contact Avis on 021 289 7893 or email .
A warm welcome
You may have been greeted by one of these delightful faces. Liz, Jan, Heather and Avis each gift at least three hours of their time every week to help visitors, greet our families, answer phones — enabling our Front of House staff to take a proper lunch break! Their experience combined covers a broad range of areas from radio to a national retail chain, not to mention motherhood!
With their cheerful smiles, warm words and worldly knowledge, these ladies are precious members of our extended House family. Missing from here is Brenda (our Wednesday girl) who is on temporary DIY leave but we have been very lucky to find the support of newcomer Sharon who has herself been a resident in the Wellington House when her grandchild was unwell.
Students muck in
For the last two school terms we have had the privilege of Albany Senior School students Steph, Emma, Caitlyn and Roxy coming into the House each week to do “pretty much whatever!” And what haven‘t they done?! Making hot soups for family lunches, cooking meals for our Family Room, organising store cupboards, wrapping Mother’s Day gifts, cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning! They chose the House as their community ‘Impact Project’ and have been coming full of energy and enthusiasm every week.
A special mention also to the whole Albany Senior School who recently undertook three sausage sizzles to help raise funds for our family garden due to be built later this year. The school managed to raise a whopping $1,300. A great effort.
A deserving accolade
Long time House volunteer Sheryn Cressey was recently awarded a ‘Paul Harris Award’ in recognition of her long and meritorious service to Rotary and the community. It is the highest award a Rotarian can achieve. Sheryn and her husband Paul, who also holds a Paul Harris Award, are also the ‘founding family’ of the Ronald McDonald House movement in NZ. Well done Sheryn, we can’t think of a more deserving candidate.
Goodbye Jessamy
Our lovely Jess has left us to pursue a new career in the classroom! A large number of volunteers, families, staff and Trustee Peter Healey and his wife Carol said goodbye at a House wine and cheese evening on the 11th June. We wish her well for her short holiday overseas and her teacher training.
Jess also has another feather to her cap just before she left she became a patient representative on the Heart Children board, they, as we were, are lucky to have her!
