New pad for families in need
Ronald McDonald House Wellington needs $3million for its new building.
Of the two buildings demolished, one was leased out for office space and for the Mexican Café, and the other housed up to 12 families at a time while children were hospitalised. Ronald McDonald House had intended to sell the building which houses families, but valuations put it at “little or no” value, and the decision was made to demolish both, and build one new building across both sites.
The new building will cost $15million, and house 34 families at a time.
“It’s very much needed… The old building was constantly full and we needed to accommodate more.
“Our house also suffered from leaky building syndrome,” says Lesley Slieker, chief executive, Ronald McDonald House Wellington.
Ronald McDonald House Wellington housed 500 families a year in the old house, and expect to house 1200 in the new one – which means support for more families from out of town, who have nowhere else to stay.
“Families that can afford it stay in motels, but some stay for months and months... Others sleep on the floor of hospital, and I do know some who’ve slept in cars. There’s some amazing medical treatment out there for kids, but all they really need is to know their parents are close by.”
The building is expected to be complete by August 2012.
Donations can be made at rmhc.org.nz, on Facebook, or donate $3 by texting Ronald to 3890.
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