​Making a Difference

 
The Rotary Club of Holroyd, (D 9675), has been a long-time supporter of Ronald McDonald House, Westmead. The support has been in the form of funds to assist the general running of the house; carrying our maintenance on the exterior of the property and providing an evening meal to residents.

In the 2015-16 Rotary year, the major fundraising event conducted by the club was the annual golf day.  The beneficiary of the funds raised on that day was Ronald McDonald House, Westmead.  Due to the dire need for additional accommodation at the house, a new building is now being constructed that will quadruple accommodation for families. This construction has attracted  government and corporate funding but there is a need for more funds for the project.  President John Heslop and his board decided that the funds raised at the golf day should be used to pay for  emergency accommodation for families. As a result, a cheque was presented to Ronald McDonald House for $8447 which equates to seventy nights accommodation for families whose child is being treated at the Westmead Children’s Hospital.  In the main, the families accommodated at the house are from the rural sector or from the Pacific island nations. Most nights all rooms filled and some families are turned away.

From a hands on point of view, on the 1 June 2016 a number of members of the Holroyd club started preparing and cooking a meal for families being accommodated that evening.  The meal consisted of three courses and accompanied by appropriate refreshments. The food preparation commenced early in the afternoon and proved to be a great time of fellowship between Rotarians, partners, staff and families.

“It was one of those moments” President John said, “that really brings home our motto of ‘Service Above Self’”.