'Meaningful': Knights in shining armour for sick kids with $2m donation
The Wests Group will give $2 million to Ronald McDonald House for more crucial rooms at John Hunter Children's Hospital.
The pledge is from Wests' community arm "Knights Strong".
Wests Group president Geoff Coburn said supporting families in need was "central to the group's purpose".
"Knights Strong reflects our commitment to standing beside the people of our region when it matters most," Mr Coburn said.
Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW CEO Ross Bingham said the pledge builds on a strong relationship between Wests, the Newcastle Knights and the charity house.
"Their visionary support will ensure we can continue to be there for more families when they need it most," Mr Bingham said.
He said Wests had made a "meaningful difference" for the charity over 20 years, while the Knights Strong partnership marked a "powerful new chapter".
He had witnessed "the joy a visit from a Knights player can bring to a sick child".
"It just lifts them at that exact moment when they need it," he said.
The money will go towards an $8 million development to add 11 self-contained family units to the charity house.
This will add to the 12 rooms and six self-contained units at the house, which is on the grounds of the hospital.
"Nearly every night, 18 families live in the house while their child is in hospital," Mr Bingham said.
"There's a huge unmet need. We turn away about five to six families every day."
The expansion is part of the charity's Build a Bigger Heart campaign.
"The extra 11 units will help support all families that need somewhere to stay, while their child is in hospital and has travelled a distance," Mr Bingham said.
"Whatever support that family needs - it could be their parents, grandparents, best friend - Ronald McDonald House allows that to happen."
Children with serious illnesses from the Central Coast to Northern NSW are treated at John Hunter Children's Hospital.
"Having somewhere to stay near the child is vital for families," Mr Bingham said.
"It means better outcomes for their child and better decisions for mum and dad.
"They get good rest and most importantly can keep the family together during those tough times."
He said it was an uplifting feeling when the kids were feeling good.
The charity raises about $4 million a year to run its houses in Newcastle and Tamworth.
It also has family rooms in John Hunter and Gosford hospitals.
"We have 230 local people that are volunteers. Without them, we wouldn't be able to provide the service we do," Mr Bingham said.
"They are there 24 hours a day supporting families."
The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the MacDougall Foundation will give $2 million for the expansion of Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle.
Former Knights star Adam MacDougall and his wife Belinda, known for creating the Man Shake and Lady Shake, own the foundation.
The Wests Group will give $2 million to Ronald McDonald House for more crucial rooms at John Hunter Children's Hospital.
The pledge is from Wests' community arm "Knights Strong".
Wests Group president Geoff Coburn said supporting families in need was "central to the group's purpose".
"Knights Strong reflects our commitment to standing beside the people of our region when it matters most," Mr Coburn said.
Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW CEO Ross Bingham said the pledge builds on a strong relationship between Wests, the Newcastle Knights and the charity house.
"Their visionary support will ensure we can continue to be there for more families when they need it most," Mr Bingham said.
He said Wests had made a "meaningful difference" for the charity over 20 years, while the Knights Strong partnership marked a "powerful new chapter".
He had witnessed "the joy a visit from a Knights player can bring to a sick child".
"It just lifts them at that exact moment when they need it," he said.
The money will go towards an $8 million development to add 11 self-contained family units to the charity house.
This will add to the 12 rooms and six self-contained units at the house, which is on the grounds of the hospital.
"Nearly every night, 18 families live in the house while their child is in hospital," Mr Bingham said.
"There's a huge unmet need. We turn away about five to six families every day."
The expansion is part of the charity's Build a Bigger Heart campaign.
"The extra 11 units will help support all families that need somewhere to stay, while their child is in hospital and has travelled a distance," Mr Bingham said.
"Whatever support that family needs - it could be their parents, grandparents, best friend - Ronald McDonald House allows that to happen."
Children with serious illnesses from the Central Coast to Northern NSW are treated at John Hunter Children's Hospital.
"Having somewhere to stay near the child is vital for families," Mr Bingham said.
"It means better outcomes for their child and better decisions for mum and dad.
"They get good rest and most importantly can keep the family together during those tough times."
He said it was an uplifting feeling when the kids were feeling good.
The charity raises about $4 million a year to run its houses in Newcastle and Tamworth.
It also has family rooms in John Hunter and Gosford hospitals.
"We have 230 local people that are volunteers. Without them, we wouldn't be able to provide the service we do," Mr Bingham said.
"They are there 24 hours a day supporting families."
The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the MacDougall Foundation will give $2 million for the expansion of Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle.
Former Knights star Adam MacDougall and his wife Belinda, known for creating the Man Shake and Lady Shake, own the foundation.
The Wests Group will give $2 million to Ronald McDonald House for more crucial rooms at John Hunter Children's Hospital.
The pledge is from Wests' community arm "Knights Strong".
Wests Group president Geoff Coburn said supporting families in need was "central to the group's purpose".
"Knights Strong reflects our commitment to standing beside the people of our region when it matters most," Mr Coburn said.
Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW CEO Ross Bingham said the pledge builds on a strong relationship between Wests, the Newcastle Knights and the charity house.
"Their visionary support will ensure we can continue to be there for more families when they need it most," Mr Bingham said.
He said Wests had made a "meaningful difference" for the charity over 20 years, while the Knights Strong partnership marked a "powerful new chapter".
He had witnessed "the joy a visit from a Knights player can bring to a sick child".
"It just lifts them at that exact moment when they need it," he said.
The money will go towards an $8 million development to add 11 self-contained family units to the charity house.
This will add to the 12 rooms and six self-contained units at the house, which is on the grounds of the hospital.
"Nearly every night, 18 families live in the house while their child is in hospital," Mr Bingham said.
"There's a huge unmet need. We turn away about five to six families every day."
The expansion is part of the charity's Build a Bigger Heart campaign.
"The extra 11 units will help support all families that need somewhere to stay, while their child is in hospital and has travelled a distance," Mr Bingham said.
"Whatever support that family needs - it could be their parents, grandparents, best friend - Ronald McDonald House allows that to happen."
Children with serious illnesses from the Central Coast to Northern NSW are treated at John Hunter Children's Hospital.
"Having somewhere to stay near the child is vital for families," Mr Bingham said.
"It means better outcomes for their child and better decisions for mum and dad.
"They get good rest and most importantly can keep the family together during those tough times."
He said it was an uplifting feeling when the kids were feeling good.
The charity raises about $4 million a year to run its houses in Newcastle and Tamworth.
It also has family rooms in John Hunter and Gosford hospitals.
"We have 230 local people that are volunteers. Without them, we wouldn't be able to provide the service we do," Mr Bingham said.
"They are there 24 hours a day supporting families."
The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the MacDougall Foundation will give $2 million for the expansion of Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle.
Former Knights star Adam MacDougall and his wife Belinda, known for creating the Man Shake and Lady Shake, own the foundation.
The Wests Group will give $2 million to Ronald McDonald House for more crucial rooms at John Hunter Children's Hospital.
The pledge is from Wests' community arm "Knights Strong".
Wests Group president Geoff Coburn said supporting families in need was "central to the group's purpose".
"Knights Strong reflects our commitment to standing beside the people of our region when it matters most," Mr Coburn said.
Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW CEO Ross Bingham said the pledge builds on a strong relationship between Wests, the Newcastle Knights and the charity house.
"Their visionary support will ensure we can continue to be there for more families when they need it most," Mr Bingham said.
He said Wests had made a "meaningful difference" for the charity over 20 years, while the Knights Strong partnership marked a "powerful new chapter".
He had witnessed "the joy a visit from a Knights player can bring to a sick child".
"It just lifts them at that exact moment when they need it," he said.
The money will go towards an $8 million development to add 11 self-contained family units to the charity house.
This will add to the 12 rooms and six self-contained units at the house, which is on the grounds of the hospital.
"Nearly every night, 18 families live in the house while their child is in hospital," Mr Bingham said.
"There's a huge unmet need. We turn away about five to six families every day."
The expansion is part of the charity's Build a Bigger Heart campaign.
"The extra 11 units will help support all families that need somewhere to stay, while their child is in hospital and has travelled a distance," Mr Bingham said.
"Whatever support that family needs - it could be their parents, grandparents, best friend - Ronald McDonald House allows that to happen."
Children with serious illnesses from the Central Coast to Northern NSW are treated at John Hunter Children's Hospital.
"Having somewhere to stay near the child is vital for families," Mr Bingham said.
"It means better outcomes for their child and better decisions for mum and dad.
"They get good rest and most importantly can keep the family together during those tough times."
He said it was an uplifting feeling when the kids were feeling good.
The charity raises about $4 million a year to run its houses in Newcastle and Tamworth.
It also has family rooms in John Hunter and Gosford hospitals.
"We have 230 local people that are volunteers. Without them, we wouldn't be able to provide the service we do," Mr Bingham said.
"They are there 24 hours a day supporting families."
The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the MacDougall Foundation will give $2 million for the expansion of Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle.
Former Knights star Adam MacDougall and his wife Belinda, known for creating the Man Shake and Lady Shake, own the foundation.
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4 days ago
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Mother creates a book to help siblings navigate neonatal intensive care
When Deloraine mother Jayne Case went into hospital to have her third child, things didn't go to plan. Her son was born with kidney issues and the new family of five needed to temporarily relocate to Hobart, three hours from their home in Tasmania's north. The family was based at the Royal Hobart Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for six weeks. "He needed a lot of extra support and help once he was out in the world," she told Tracey Strong on ABC Radio Hobart Evenings. The newborn required surgery at eight days old, and the lives of her eight-year-old and five-year-old sons were turned upside down. "They moved from a quiet country life straight into the heart of Hobart at Ronald McDonald House," she said. "That was a bit of a transition for them both." Ms Case said the NICU was quite confronting at first, and very different to how her sons thought they would meet their new sibling. "It's not what you're ever expecting when you think of a newborn baby, especially when you've waited for your little brother for so long," she said. The NICU is on a separate ward and floor to the maternity ward. "In terms of newborn babies and how we expect them to be in their mother's arms, in their mother's bed in the maternity ward in the hospital, it's not like that at all," she said. "Most of the babies are absolutely tiny and they've got cords and tubes and all sorts of life-saving monitors around them. Ms Case said at one point she couldn't hold her new baby for five days. Ms Case said she and her husband tried to stay together at the hospital so they could help each other digest any news from medical staff. "When the doctor walks in the door you never know what they are going to say," she said. "We needed lots of extra help with the other boys. She felt that she needed something to help explain to the boys what was going on. "None of us had the brain space to do that," she said. "I thought it'd be great to have a book and went online and tried to find something, but I couldn't find anything that was suitable." It inspired her to write something herself. "I held onto the idea and one night when he was four or five months old it just appeared in my brain just like magic," she said. The book, Counting on You, was released at the start of June and is written from the perspective of a boy called Otto who loves numbers. It goes through all the different things Otto did to help himself cope during his baby brother's NICU time. "It's personal for me but I know it'll be really helpful for other siblings of NICU babies to see themselves in this big scary journey," Ms Case said. "Until you've experienced it yourself it's really difficult to get your head around." Her now two-year-old will have life-long kidney issues. "He's an amazing little kid, we all absolutely adore him and will do absolutely anything for him," she said. "I hope [the book] helps siblings and families going through a similar journey to find comfort and hope and recognition of how things are for them. "I'd love to also help other families and children who haven't experienced the NICU world to have a greater understanding and empathy of other people's stories."
The Advertiser
20-06-2025
- The Advertiser
'The scariest part is the recovery': courageous baby Hugo's fight for life
At only four days old, Hugo Holding went through open-heart surgery. Mum Hayley White, of Cessnock, said Hugo was diagnosed with a heart condition while she was pregnant. "We were asked if we wanted to terminate the pregnancy. That was a heartbreaking thing to be asked," Ms White said. "No child asks to be born, but we wanted to say we did everything we could to give him a life. "It was hard. We knew we'd be choosing to put our baby first and this would affect our other children." She added that if "any of my children were unwell, there's not a thing I wouldn't do for them". "I decided my unborn baby deserved that same respect. He is my child." Ms White sought to raise awareness that one in 100 babies are born with a congenital heart defect. Hugo's heart condition meant "the whole left side of his heart is small, including his valves". During surgery in January, he had an aortic arch repair and ASD [atrial septal defect] closure at Westmead Children's Hospital. Ms White said the surgeons and cardiologists were "amazing". "You can tell they really do care. They truly want the best for the child," she said. Hugo was in ICU for two months and a cardiac ward for a month. During this time, Hugo's dad Tyson Holding lost his job after his place of work was sold. A GoFundMe, titled "Hugo's Journey", has been started to help the family. Hugo went home for 10 weeks, but a follow-up echo scan showed his heart pressures were high. He returned to hospital last month for a diagnostic procedure. "He lost blood and went downhill. There was an issue with the ventilation machine. At one point, it wasn't working properly," Ms White said. "He ended up in ICU and didn't bounce back. After two days, they decided to intubate him, putting tubes down his nose and throat to take over the lungs' work." The doctors were concerned for Hugo's life, so he underwent a second open-heart surgery on May 30, called the Ross procedure, to replace his aortic valve with his own pulmonary valve. His pulmonary valve was replaced with a donor valve. "They've said the blood flow is looking a lot better now and his heart pressures are down," Ms White said. "His recovery so far is a lot better than last time. Fingers crossed he keeps on that path." Doctors have said Hugo's mitral valve will probably need replacing in future with a mechanical valve. Now five months old, Hugo is in a ward at Westmead for children with heart conditions. "After a big surgery, they put them on a lot of opioids like morphine and fentanyl. He's now being weaned from the drugs, which takes weeks. "The scariest part is the recovery and the things that can go wrong after surgery. It's really hard on the little babies." The family, including three of Hugo's four siblings, is staying at Ronald McDonald House. "I would like to give a shout out to Ronald McDonald House and the charity HeartKids," Ms White said. At only four days old, Hugo Holding went through open-heart surgery. Mum Hayley White, of Cessnock, said Hugo was diagnosed with a heart condition while she was pregnant. "We were asked if we wanted to terminate the pregnancy. That was a heartbreaking thing to be asked," Ms White said. "No child asks to be born, but we wanted to say we did everything we could to give him a life. "It was hard. We knew we'd be choosing to put our baby first and this would affect our other children." She added that if "any of my children were unwell, there's not a thing I wouldn't do for them". "I decided my unborn baby deserved that same respect. He is my child." Ms White sought to raise awareness that one in 100 babies are born with a congenital heart defect. Hugo's heart condition meant "the whole left side of his heart is small, including his valves". During surgery in January, he had an aortic arch repair and ASD [atrial septal defect] closure at Westmead Children's Hospital. Ms White said the surgeons and cardiologists were "amazing". "You can tell they really do care. They truly want the best for the child," she said. Hugo was in ICU for two months and a cardiac ward for a month. During this time, Hugo's dad Tyson Holding lost his job after his place of work was sold. A GoFundMe, titled "Hugo's Journey", has been started to help the family. Hugo went home for 10 weeks, but a follow-up echo scan showed his heart pressures were high. He returned to hospital last month for a diagnostic procedure. "He lost blood and went downhill. There was an issue with the ventilation machine. At one point, it wasn't working properly," Ms White said. "He ended up in ICU and didn't bounce back. After two days, they decided to intubate him, putting tubes down his nose and throat to take over the lungs' work." The doctors were concerned for Hugo's life, so he underwent a second open-heart surgery on May 30, called the Ross procedure, to replace his aortic valve with his own pulmonary valve. His pulmonary valve was replaced with a donor valve. "They've said the blood flow is looking a lot better now and his heart pressures are down," Ms White said. "His recovery so far is a lot better than last time. Fingers crossed he keeps on that path." Doctors have said Hugo's mitral valve will probably need replacing in future with a mechanical valve. Now five months old, Hugo is in a ward at Westmead for children with heart conditions. "After a big surgery, they put them on a lot of opioids like morphine and fentanyl. He's now being weaned from the drugs, which takes weeks. "The scariest part is the recovery and the things that can go wrong after surgery. It's really hard on the little babies." The family, including three of Hugo's four siblings, is staying at Ronald McDonald House. "I would like to give a shout out to Ronald McDonald House and the charity HeartKids," Ms White said. At only four days old, Hugo Holding went through open-heart surgery. Mum Hayley White, of Cessnock, said Hugo was diagnosed with a heart condition while she was pregnant. "We were asked if we wanted to terminate the pregnancy. That was a heartbreaking thing to be asked," Ms White said. "No child asks to be born, but we wanted to say we did everything we could to give him a life. "It was hard. We knew we'd be choosing to put our baby first and this would affect our other children." She added that if "any of my children were unwell, there's not a thing I wouldn't do for them". "I decided my unborn baby deserved that same respect. He is my child." Ms White sought to raise awareness that one in 100 babies are born with a congenital heart defect. Hugo's heart condition meant "the whole left side of his heart is small, including his valves". During surgery in January, he had an aortic arch repair and ASD [atrial septal defect] closure at Westmead Children's Hospital. Ms White said the surgeons and cardiologists were "amazing". "You can tell they really do care. They truly want the best for the child," she said. Hugo was in ICU for two months and a cardiac ward for a month. During this time, Hugo's dad Tyson Holding lost his job after his place of work was sold. A GoFundMe, titled "Hugo's Journey", has been started to help the family. Hugo went home for 10 weeks, but a follow-up echo scan showed his heart pressures were high. He returned to hospital last month for a diagnostic procedure. "He lost blood and went downhill. There was an issue with the ventilation machine. At one point, it wasn't working properly," Ms White said. "He ended up in ICU and didn't bounce back. After two days, they decided to intubate him, putting tubes down his nose and throat to take over the lungs' work." The doctors were concerned for Hugo's life, so he underwent a second open-heart surgery on May 30, called the Ross procedure, to replace his aortic valve with his own pulmonary valve. His pulmonary valve was replaced with a donor valve. "They've said the blood flow is looking a lot better now and his heart pressures are down," Ms White said. "His recovery so far is a lot better than last time. Fingers crossed he keeps on that path." Doctors have said Hugo's mitral valve will probably need replacing in future with a mechanical valve. Now five months old, Hugo is in a ward at Westmead for children with heart conditions. "After a big surgery, they put them on a lot of opioids like morphine and fentanyl. He's now being weaned from the drugs, which takes weeks. "The scariest part is the recovery and the things that can go wrong after surgery. It's really hard on the little babies." The family, including three of Hugo's four siblings, is staying at Ronald McDonald House. "I would like to give a shout out to Ronald McDonald House and the charity HeartKids," Ms White said. At only four days old, Hugo Holding went through open-heart surgery. Mum Hayley White, of Cessnock, said Hugo was diagnosed with a heart condition while she was pregnant. "We were asked if we wanted to terminate the pregnancy. That was a heartbreaking thing to be asked," Ms White said. "No child asks to be born, but we wanted to say we did everything we could to give him a life. "It was hard. We knew we'd be choosing to put our baby first and this would affect our other children." She added that if "any of my children were unwell, there's not a thing I wouldn't do for them". "I decided my unborn baby deserved that same respect. He is my child." Ms White sought to raise awareness that one in 100 babies are born with a congenital heart defect. Hugo's heart condition meant "the whole left side of his heart is small, including his valves". During surgery in January, he had an aortic arch repair and ASD [atrial septal defect] closure at Westmead Children's Hospital. Ms White said the surgeons and cardiologists were "amazing". "You can tell they really do care. They truly want the best for the child," she said. Hugo was in ICU for two months and a cardiac ward for a month. During this time, Hugo's dad Tyson Holding lost his job after his place of work was sold. A GoFundMe, titled "Hugo's Journey", has been started to help the family. Hugo went home for 10 weeks, but a follow-up echo scan showed his heart pressures were high. He returned to hospital last month for a diagnostic procedure. "He lost blood and went downhill. There was an issue with the ventilation machine. At one point, it wasn't working properly," Ms White said. "He ended up in ICU and didn't bounce back. After two days, they decided to intubate him, putting tubes down his nose and throat to take over the lungs' work." The doctors were concerned for Hugo's life, so he underwent a second open-heart surgery on May 30, called the Ross procedure, to replace his aortic valve with his own pulmonary valve. His pulmonary valve was replaced with a donor valve. "They've said the blood flow is looking a lot better now and his heart pressures are down," Ms White said. "His recovery so far is a lot better than last time. Fingers crossed he keeps on that path." Doctors have said Hugo's mitral valve will probably need replacing in future with a mechanical valve. Now five months old, Hugo is in a ward at Westmead for children with heart conditions. "After a big surgery, they put them on a lot of opioids like morphine and fentanyl. He's now being weaned from the drugs, which takes weeks. "The scariest part is the recovery and the things that can go wrong after surgery. It's really hard on the little babies." The family, including three of Hugo's four siblings, is staying at Ronald McDonald House. "I would like to give a shout out to Ronald McDonald House and the charity HeartKids," Ms White said.
The Advertiser
14-06-2025
- The Advertiser
'Meaningful': Knights in shining armour for sick kids with $2m donation
The Wests Group will give $2 million to Ronald McDonald House for more crucial rooms at John Hunter Children's Hospital. The pledge is from Wests' community arm "Knights Strong". Wests Group president Geoff Coburn said supporting families in need was "central to the group's purpose". "Knights Strong reflects our commitment to standing beside the people of our region when it matters most," Mr Coburn said. Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW CEO Ross Bingham said the pledge builds on a strong relationship between Wests, the Newcastle Knights and the charity house. "Their visionary support will ensure we can continue to be there for more families when they need it most," Mr Bingham said. He said Wests had made a "meaningful difference" for the charity over 20 years, while the Knights Strong partnership marked a "powerful new chapter". He had witnessed "the joy a visit from a Knights player can bring to a sick child". "It just lifts them at that exact moment when they need it," he said. The money will go towards an $8 million development to add 11 self-contained family units to the charity house. This will add to the 12 rooms and six self-contained units at the house, which is on the grounds of the hospital. "Nearly every night, 18 families live in the house while their child is in hospital," Mr Bingham said. "There's a huge unmet need. We turn away about five to six families every day." The expansion is part of the charity's Build a Bigger Heart campaign. "The extra 11 units will help support all families that need somewhere to stay, while their child is in hospital and has travelled a distance," Mr Bingham said. "Whatever support that family needs - it could be their parents, grandparents, best friend - Ronald McDonald House allows that to happen." Children with serious illnesses from the Central Coast to Northern NSW are treated at John Hunter Children's Hospital. "Having somewhere to stay near the child is vital for families," Mr Bingham said. "It means better outcomes for their child and better decisions for mum and dad. "They get good rest and most importantly can keep the family together during those tough times." He said it was an uplifting feeling when the kids were feeling good. The charity raises about $4 million a year to run its houses in Newcastle and Tamworth. It also has family rooms in John Hunter and Gosford hospitals. "We have 230 local people that are volunteers. Without them, we wouldn't be able to provide the service we do," Mr Bingham said. "They are there 24 hours a day supporting families." The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the MacDougall Foundation will give $2 million for the expansion of Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle. Former Knights star Adam MacDougall and his wife Belinda, known for creating the Man Shake and Lady Shake, own the foundation. The Wests Group will give $2 million to Ronald McDonald House for more crucial rooms at John Hunter Children's Hospital. The pledge is from Wests' community arm "Knights Strong". Wests Group president Geoff Coburn said supporting families in need was "central to the group's purpose". "Knights Strong reflects our commitment to standing beside the people of our region when it matters most," Mr Coburn said. Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW CEO Ross Bingham said the pledge builds on a strong relationship between Wests, the Newcastle Knights and the charity house. "Their visionary support will ensure we can continue to be there for more families when they need it most," Mr Bingham said. He said Wests had made a "meaningful difference" for the charity over 20 years, while the Knights Strong partnership marked a "powerful new chapter". He had witnessed "the joy a visit from a Knights player can bring to a sick child". "It just lifts them at that exact moment when they need it," he said. The money will go towards an $8 million development to add 11 self-contained family units to the charity house. This will add to the 12 rooms and six self-contained units at the house, which is on the grounds of the hospital. "Nearly every night, 18 families live in the house while their child is in hospital," Mr Bingham said. "There's a huge unmet need. We turn away about five to six families every day." The expansion is part of the charity's Build a Bigger Heart campaign. "The extra 11 units will help support all families that need somewhere to stay, while their child is in hospital and has travelled a distance," Mr Bingham said. "Whatever support that family needs - it could be their parents, grandparents, best friend - Ronald McDonald House allows that to happen." Children with serious illnesses from the Central Coast to Northern NSW are treated at John Hunter Children's Hospital. "Having somewhere to stay near the child is vital for families," Mr Bingham said. "It means better outcomes for their child and better decisions for mum and dad. "They get good rest and most importantly can keep the family together during those tough times." He said it was an uplifting feeling when the kids were feeling good. The charity raises about $4 million a year to run its houses in Newcastle and Tamworth. It also has family rooms in John Hunter and Gosford hospitals. "We have 230 local people that are volunteers. Without them, we wouldn't be able to provide the service we do," Mr Bingham said. "They are there 24 hours a day supporting families." The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the MacDougall Foundation will give $2 million for the expansion of Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle. Former Knights star Adam MacDougall and his wife Belinda, known for creating the Man Shake and Lady Shake, own the foundation. The Wests Group will give $2 million to Ronald McDonald House for more crucial rooms at John Hunter Children's Hospital. The pledge is from Wests' community arm "Knights Strong". Wests Group president Geoff Coburn said supporting families in need was "central to the group's purpose". "Knights Strong reflects our commitment to standing beside the people of our region when it matters most," Mr Coburn said. Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW CEO Ross Bingham said the pledge builds on a strong relationship between Wests, the Newcastle Knights and the charity house. "Their visionary support will ensure we can continue to be there for more families when they need it most," Mr Bingham said. He said Wests had made a "meaningful difference" for the charity over 20 years, while the Knights Strong partnership marked a "powerful new chapter". He had witnessed "the joy a visit from a Knights player can bring to a sick child". "It just lifts them at that exact moment when they need it," he said. The money will go towards an $8 million development to add 11 self-contained family units to the charity house. This will add to the 12 rooms and six self-contained units at the house, which is on the grounds of the hospital. "Nearly every night, 18 families live in the house while their child is in hospital," Mr Bingham said. "There's a huge unmet need. We turn away about five to six families every day." The expansion is part of the charity's Build a Bigger Heart campaign. "The extra 11 units will help support all families that need somewhere to stay, while their child is in hospital and has travelled a distance," Mr Bingham said. "Whatever support that family needs - it could be their parents, grandparents, best friend - Ronald McDonald House allows that to happen." Children with serious illnesses from the Central Coast to Northern NSW are treated at John Hunter Children's Hospital. "Having somewhere to stay near the child is vital for families," Mr Bingham said. "It means better outcomes for their child and better decisions for mum and dad. "They get good rest and most importantly can keep the family together during those tough times." He said it was an uplifting feeling when the kids were feeling good. The charity raises about $4 million a year to run its houses in Newcastle and Tamworth. It also has family rooms in John Hunter and Gosford hospitals. "We have 230 local people that are volunteers. Without them, we wouldn't be able to provide the service we do," Mr Bingham said. "They are there 24 hours a day supporting families." The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the MacDougall Foundation will give $2 million for the expansion of Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle. Former Knights star Adam MacDougall and his wife Belinda, known for creating the Man Shake and Lady Shake, own the foundation. The Wests Group will give $2 million to Ronald McDonald House for more crucial rooms at John Hunter Children's Hospital. The pledge is from Wests' community arm "Knights Strong". Wests Group president Geoff Coburn said supporting families in need was "central to the group's purpose". "Knights Strong reflects our commitment to standing beside the people of our region when it matters most," Mr Coburn said. Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern NSW CEO Ross Bingham said the pledge builds on a strong relationship between Wests, the Newcastle Knights and the charity house. "Their visionary support will ensure we can continue to be there for more families when they need it most," Mr Bingham said. He said Wests had made a "meaningful difference" for the charity over 20 years, while the Knights Strong partnership marked a "powerful new chapter". He had witnessed "the joy a visit from a Knights player can bring to a sick child". "It just lifts them at that exact moment when they need it," he said. The money will go towards an $8 million development to add 11 self-contained family units to the charity house. This will add to the 12 rooms and six self-contained units at the house, which is on the grounds of the hospital. "Nearly every night, 18 families live in the house while their child is in hospital," Mr Bingham said. "There's a huge unmet need. We turn away about five to six families every day." The expansion is part of the charity's Build a Bigger Heart campaign. "The extra 11 units will help support all families that need somewhere to stay, while their child is in hospital and has travelled a distance," Mr Bingham said. "Whatever support that family needs - it could be their parents, grandparents, best friend - Ronald McDonald House allows that to happen." Children with serious illnesses from the Central Coast to Northern NSW are treated at John Hunter Children's Hospital. "Having somewhere to stay near the child is vital for families," Mr Bingham said. "It means better outcomes for their child and better decisions for mum and dad. "They get good rest and most importantly can keep the family together during those tough times." He said it was an uplifting feeling when the kids were feeling good. The charity raises about $4 million a year to run its houses in Newcastle and Tamworth. It also has family rooms in John Hunter and Gosford hospitals. "We have 230 local people that are volunteers. Without them, we wouldn't be able to provide the service we do," Mr Bingham said. "They are there 24 hours a day supporting families." The Newcastle Herald reported last month that the MacDougall Foundation will give $2 million for the expansion of Ronald McDonald House in Newcastle. Former Knights star Adam MacDougall and his wife Belinda, known for creating the Man Shake and Lady Shake, own the foundation.
