Ronald McDonald House South Island

Ronald McDonald House South Island is an independent charitable trust that provides free accommodation and support to families who must travel to Christchurch for their child’s medical treatment. Each year we provide a home-away-from-home for more than 1,200 families. By removing the stressors of everyday life, families can focus on what matters most – their child.

We operate two programmes in Christchurch – Ronald McDonald House in central Christchurch (26 bedrooms), and the Ronald McDonald Family Room in Christchurch Hospital’s new Waipapa Building and relyon generous donations from the community to keep our doors open to each and every family who needs us. We also have an army of volunteers who are the absolute backbone of our charity.

Our hospital partners appreciate having our programmes available for their young patients. They say having family staying nearby can help speed up the amount of time a child needs to stay in the hospital. Families tell us that the good nights’ sleep they get in a Ronald McDonald House comfortable bed so close to the hospital help them feel well rested so they can best support their child through treatment.

Simply, we give families with a hospitalised child what they need most — each other.