When Managing Director of Raine & Horne Newcastle, Cody Bice, heard the average stay for a family at Ronald McDonald House this month was 12 nights, he was moved to get up and help.  So much so, he’s bringing the Raine & Horne offices in the Hunter together to get moving and help raise funds to help keep families and their seriously ill or injured children together. 

 On the 12 November the Raine & Horne team will be taking on the challenge to walk 12km, representing the 12 nights that families need a “home away from home” to be near their child in hospital. 38 people from Raine & Horne offices in Newcastle, Mayfield, New Lambton, Wallsend, Belmont, Kurri Kurri, Cameron Park, East Maitland, Lemon Tree Passage & Nelson Bay will be starting their walk at the Fernleigh Loop and finishing at the Queens Wharf Hotel.

 While the walk may be a tough one for some, it’s nothing compared to the journeys that families face after receiving news of their child’s serious illness.

 “The work of Ronald McDonald House Charities, Northern NSW is invaluable and our ongoing involvement with this organisation is something we take great pride in” says Mr Bice.

 Earlier this year, the team at Raine & Horne Newcastle launched a three-year partnership with RMHC NNSW, commencing with a pledge of 10% of all sales commission from April until June 2022 to support the charity, which relies on the generosity of the community to support families with sick kids.

 The charity helps sick kids and their families from across Northern NSW when they need it most at their Houses in Newcastle and Tamworth, Family Rooms in Gosford and John Hunter Children’s Hospital, a Family Retreat in Forster, and the Learning program. The team at RMHC NNSW also provide families with meals, family activities, peer support, resources for siblings, respite, laundry facilities and many other services to care for families with an ill or injured child.

The collaboration of Raine & Horne’s Hunter region offices to support the work of RMHC NNSW in a productive way speaks to the value of the service to the region.  Every dollar makes a big impact for families, a donation of as little as $60 can help provide two weeks of clean linen for a safe place to sleep when families are far from home.

 “Long term partnerships, like Raine & Horne’s, make the world of difference to families with a seriously ill child and we are so grateful for their ongoing commitment to RMHC NNSW.  It means we can focus on what’s important, providing the vital care and support families need when their lives are turned upside down” says Ross Bingham, CEO of RMHC NNSW.

 Mr Bice continued, “Our three-year commitment to RMHC NNSW means that we can make a tangible impact to the lives of people who need it most. Through fundraising, donating, and volunteering, we look forward to our partnership into 2023 and beyond.”

 To support Raine & Horne’s 12km walk to help sick kids and their families check out their fundraising page here