Proud to partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria and Tasmania

Maddi Hutchison and Josh Liston’s joy at welcoming their baby, York, turned into a test of strength and resilience when he was born prematurely at 35 weeks at the Royal Women’s Hospital.

York was diagnosed with Severe Aortic Stenosis, a serious heart condition that affects blood flow and required urgent surgery to save his life.

This diagnosis catapulted Maddi and Josh into a world of uncertainty and fear, as their newborn son faced the fight of his life.

The family’s journey led them to the Ronald McDonald House in North Fitzroy and Parkville. It was here that the family found a haven. Originally expecting a recovery period of two to four weeks, they instead found themselves staying for eight long months, as York underwent three critical heart surgeries.

“I would describe Ronald McDonald House as a hidden gem,” Maddi said, “It’s a home away from home that nobody knows about until you need it.”

During these difficult times, Ronald McDonald House provided more than just a place to sleep – it became a sanctuary where Maddi and Josh found a community of families facing similar struggles. As Maddi recalls, “We met loads of families who have given us a lot of support and who allowed us to be supportive towards them too. It becomes a real community environment and it allows you to get the support when you need it and also give it when other people need it.”

The comfort of a familiar environment, the warmth of shared experiences, and the reassurance of not being alone made a world of difference to the family. The Ronald McDonald House staff, volunteers and fellow residents offered emotional support and practical help, creating a network of care that extended far beyond the hospital walls.

York will need more surgeries in the future, but Maddi and her family find solace in knowing that they have the Ronald McDonald House community. The proximity to the hospital ensures that York can receive the best care possible without the added stress of travel and accommodation worries. 

Maddi said, “The House has played a massive part in our journey. We spent the first 105 days of York’s journey in ICU, which meant that we could stay by his bedside. 

“The House gave us the opportunity to have family and friends visit and support us. It has also allowed us to meet families in similar situations, which have become our biggest support network. 

“It’s like a home away from home. If the House didn’t exist, we would have spent a lot of time traveling to and from Melbourne. We live about an hour and a half to 2 hours depending on traffic. So if we didn’t have the opportunity to stay here, we wouldn’t have been able to be in ICU when everything was going on with York. It would have been quite detrimental to his recovery.” 

For families like this, Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria & Tasmania is more than a service; it is a lifeline. It provides a semblance of normalcy in the most abnormal of times, offering a comfortable bed, friendly faces, and a supportive environment that can make all the difference.

About Ronald McDonald House

Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria & Tasmania (RMHC VIC & TAS) offers support for families grappling with the immense challenges of serious childhood illnesses.

A home away from home

With four Ronald McDonald Houses in the region, RMHC VIC & TAS provides critical accommodation to families in need. These houses, located in Hobart, Monash, North Fitzroy, and Parkville, offer more than just somewhere to stay. They provide a nurturing environment amidst the chaos of hospital stays. Shared kitchen facilities, dining rooms, lounges, laundries, and play spaces create a community where families can cook, clean, and find comfort together. In 2023 alone, these Houses hosted 2,537 families, providing 29,438 nights of accommodation.

More than just accommodation

The support extends beyond the Houses. Ronald McDonald Family Rooms within Monash, Sunshine, and Wodonga hospitals offer a place for families to relax and take a break from the ward while staying close to their child. These rooms provide essential amenities, and in 2023, they welcomed 4,807 visitors, providing much-needed respite.

The Ronald McDonald Learning Program is another cornerstone of RMHC VIC & TAS’s support, ensuring that children who are missing school due to illness can keep up with their education. In 2023, the program supported 389 students within the comfort of the Houses.

The power of community support

All these services are made possible through the generosity of donors and volunteers. RMHC VIC & TAS relies on the support of individuals, communities, and corporate partners, to keep their programs running.

As a registered not-for-profit charity, RMHC VIC & TAS strives to keep its administration and operational costs low while maintaining high standards for the Houses and other programs.

In 2023, volunteers contributed 14,993 hours of their time, embodying the spirit of compassion and community.

A lifeline in difficult times

The impact of RMHC VIC & TAS is profound. By providing accommodation and support services, they alleviate the financial, emotional, and physical stress that families face. The presence of specialist accommodation near hospitals allows for earlier discharges and fewer missed appointments, creating significant social and economic value. For every dollar invested in RMHC VIC & TAS, $3.60 of social and economic value is generated, demonstrating the efficiency and necessity of their services.

Pin & Win partnership

The VRC announced RMHC VIC & TAS as the official Pin & Win charity partner for 2024-2025 in January 2024.

Pin & Win was established in 1995 to give charities the platform to raise funds through the sale of Lexus Melbourne Cup souvenir pins and has now raised well over $8 million for Australian charities to help change lives and support our community, including the record amount of $548,000 in 2023 for Australian Childhood Foundation. RMHC VIC & TAS is the 17th charity to partner with the VRC, with money raised from the Pin & Win partnership to go towards supporting families to stay at the Ronald McDonald Houses. Maddi and York will feature on the backing cards of this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup and horseshoe pins, which will be on sale online and at VRC race days and events from August through to the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Together with RMHC VIC & TAS, the VRC is aiming to set another fundraising record in 2024 which will cover an additional 3,500 nights of accommodation at Ronald McDonald Houses across Victoria and Tasmania for families just like Maddi and York’s.

For more information or to donate, please visit Pin & Win 2024 on vrc.com.au