Hospital house needs help

Bunbury yesterday became the third stop on a roadshow to raise awareness about funds needed for a new Ronald McDonald House to cater for regional children.

Ronald McDonald House is located near Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital and is used as temporary accommodation for regional families while children undergo treatment.

In 2011, South West families represented 21 per cent of the people who used the accommodation.

The Stronger Together Capital Campaign roadshow at the Lighthouse Beach Resort was used as a way to involve people who are active in the community to become ambassadors for fundraising in the region.

When PMH closes in 2015, a new Ronald McDonald House will be built near the site of the new children’s hospital.

“It was important for us to move to where the children were going to be treated,” Ronald McDonald House executive officer Alison Salmond said.

“The South West is one of the areas where people who will use the new house come from and we want to raise $20 million for it.

“We’re hoping the ambassadors within regional communities can find ways to raise funds and promote awareness.”

Ms Salmond said representatives from Collie and Busselton were also invited to yesterday’s event.

Geraldton and Albany have previously been visited.

More South West families use the Ronald McDonald House than those from any other region, with the Kimberley representing 14 per cent of guests and the Gascoyne providing the least with 2 per cent.

Ms Salmond said she appreciated the South West people who attended yesterday’s event.

Ronald McDonald House has already raised $15.2 million of its $20 million target.

The new house will contain 46 rooms, compared to the 18 now available, and will be able to accommodate 180 people at a time — 1000 families a year.

“Increasing the capacity to accommodate more regional families is paramount to meeting the current and future needs of the State,” Ms Salmond said.