Ronald McDonald House in Orange has thanked Parkes for its support of its Wear Red Day campaign on July 30 that raised more than $23,000.
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Its executive officer Rebecca Walsh penned the following letter to the Parkes community:
"Since Ronald McDonald House Charities opened its doors it has provided a 'home away from home' for 140 families from Parkes for a total of 1065 nights. These figures show that more families from Parkes than any other town or city in the region look to RMHC Orange for help in their time of need," Ms Walsh wrote.
"I would like to take this opportunity to extend the heartfelt thanks of everyone involved in the house at Orange to the residents of Parkes and district who donated and participated in the Wear Red Day for RMHC Orange.
"All accommodation and services are provided to families free of charge, along with emergency meals, complimentary breakfasts, pantry items for self-catering, gifts of new toys, books and activities for the sick child in hospital, and baby hampers for premature and newborn babies from your area.
"Special thanks go to Christine Little and the Parkes Champion Post who have been a tremendous help in spreading the word about Wear Red Day, along with our Wear Red Day ambassador family Pat and Natalie Williams, and baby Harvey.
"All funds raised will remain in Orange to continue our work supporting families from your area at what can be a stressful time in their lives. This includes women who have been identified as experiencing a high-risk pregnancy requiring monitoring and delivery in Orange.
"As well, we are experiencing an increasing demand to accommodate and support families who have a child or adult experiencing a mental health crisis requiring urgent specialist care in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health ward in Orange Hospital - often for weeks or months at a time.
"With the exception of two staff members, RMHC Orange operates due to the passion and commitment of a band of just over 100 volunteers from Orange who are rostered on 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year.
"We would also like to express our deep appreciation to organisations such as the Parkes College Seniors knitting group who have been great supporters of our house by providing beautiful hand knitted and crochet baby items and rugs on a regular basis.
"An amazing $23,531 was raised on Wear Red Day and it will go a long way to helping make a beautiful difference for so many families. We are so appreciative as this has been the only fund raising event we have been able to hold this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We now look forward to our next Wear Red Day to be held on March 25, 2021."
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