Brittany Wilkinson stayed for three months at Ronald McDonald House Canberra while her baby was in the NICU and special care unit. Photo: Ronald McDonald House Charities.
In June 2023, on a Friday night, the volunteer staff at Ronald McDonald House Canberra & South East NSW (RMHC) eagerly awaited the arrival of a new guest from Batemans Bay. Their goal was simple yet profound: to ensure that she felt welcomed and at home.
“That was so kind, and it meant so much to me,” recalls Brittany Wilkinson.
At 28 weeks pregnant, Brittany faced a critical situation. Diagnosed with a cervical condition, she was at high risk of premature labour and needed immediate admission to Canberra Hospital. Four weeks later, Brittany gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who required intensive care in the hospital’s NICU and Special Care Unit for two more months.
Before her three-month stay at Ronald McDonald House, Brittany, like most, had only a passing familiarity with the organisation. Her experience transformed her perspective, as she witnessed firsthand the vital support RMHC provides.
“There is no way I would have been able to afford accommodation in Canberra for three months, and we have no friends or family nearby we could stay with. I would have had to drive the two-plus hours back and forth to be with my baby,” Brittany explains.
“They gave me space to store my belongings, a roof over my head, a full belly, and access to my baby girl – for three months. That’s pretty incredible. It’s hard to put into words how far above and beyond they went during that time. Sometimes I would go to visit my baby in the NICU and I’d come back and all my clothes had been washed and dried.”
Ronald McDonald House in Canberra is equipped with 10 ensuite bedrooms, a communal kitchen, and living areas, providing 24/7 support for families living at least 100 km away from Canberra with seriously ill children being treated at the hospital. Beyond providing a stocked pantry and home-cooked meals twice weekly from corporate and community groups, families have access to fridge and pantry space for their provisions.
Beyond the practicality of beds and food, the house organically provides an emotional support system for its guests, who are often living through traumatic experiences and facing similar challenges.
“I met a lot of incredible people and made a lot of friends with the other families, staff, and volunteers. To this day, we stay in touch, and I think we always will. When you meet people under those circumstances, they hold a spot in your heart forever,” Brittany shares.
“Everyone staying at the house is going through the same type of thing. You talk about your families, your babies, the milestones you’re hitting, the setbacks you’ve had that week, and everyone understands.
“I didn’t know much about Ronald McDonald House until I needed them. I donate to them now whenever I can, but I know I’ll never be able to repay them for the support they provided during that difficult time.”
In 2023, Ronald McDonald House Canberra & South East NSW hosted about 234 families. It costs the organisation $150 a night in accommodation alone to host a family, and it relies heavily on the generosity of the public to make this possible.
This end of financial year, you have the opportunity to make a significant impact. Visit Ronald McDonald House Canberra & South East NSW to make a tax-deductible donation before Sunday 30 June and help support families in need. Any donation big or small can make a significant difference in someone’s life.
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