Making Holidays Brighter: Harcourts Foundation Backs Ronald McDonald House’s Holiday Programme for Sick Kids

Let’s be honest: spending school holidays near a hospital ward isn't exactly on anyone’s bucket list. For families dealing with serious illness, the usual break from school can become a logistical nightmare rather than a time to relax.

That is why Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria & Tasmania (RMHC VIC & TAS) is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Harcourts Foundation to inject a serious dose of normality, and fun, back into the lives of families doing it tough.

The Harcourts Foundation has awarded a vital $10,000 grant to support the RMHC Holiday Programme.

This initiative isn't just about keeping kids busy; it's about providing a lifeline for families who have had to drop everything and relocate to be near major paediatric hospitals.

"We know that when a child gets sick, the whole family feels the impact," says Peter Bishop, CEO at RMHC VIC & TAS. "We have siblings trying to do their homework in a strange city, and parents who are running on empty.

This grant from Harcourts is a game-changer. It means we can ramp up our activities. It allows us to say to these parents, 'You go have a shower or a cup of tea while it’s still hot; we’ve got the kids entertained.'"

The Holiday Programme aims to support over 200 children and parents each holiday period. It offers a mix of incursions, excursions, and in-House activities, including therapeutic animal visits, which are always a hit.

It’s about creating a "home away from home" vibe that feels less like a clinical waiting room and more like a supportive community.

Sharon Kupsch, Harcourts Foundation Ambassador for Victoria, noted that the decision to support the project was an easy one. "It’s actually quite humbling to see the work that goes on inside these Houses," Kupsch says.

"We’re just happy to be able to help in a practical way. If our contribution means a brother and sister can laugh at a magic show or mess around with arts and crafts instead of worrying about medical appointments for an afternoon, then we’ve done our job."

The funding will ensure these enriching experiences remain entirely free for families, removing yet another worry from their plates during an incredibly stressful time.

Pauline Smith, Head of The Harcourts Foundation, adds, "Since 2008, our teams across Australia have been pitching in to support the communities that support us. We try not to take ourselves too seriously, but we take our giving very seriously.

Partnering with RMHC to help keep families connected and smiling, even when things are difficult, is exactly the kind of impact we strive for."

With occupancy rates at the Houses consistently high, this support comes at a critical time. The grant ensures that as RMHC works toward its goal of 'Serving More Families Better', the focus remains on treating the whole family, not just the illness