This November, you’ll once again be able to take part in the annual Red Wig Challenge, raising funds for Ronald McDonald House Canberra in their work to support families with sick children.

Participants who sign up to the Red Wig Challenge will help raise funds by taking the challenge to run, ride or glide over the month, collecting donations for every kilometre of their hard work.

Last year, they raised over $33k to help support 1,285 families and provide 2,744 nights’ accommodation to families in need. This year they are aiming even higher, looking to raise at least $50,000 to pay for almost 380 nights of accommodation to support families across the ACT and South East NSW.

To understand more about the work the charity does and the support that it provides, we spoke to the Stephenson family from Crookwell in rural NSW.

Mum and dad, Ali and Adam welcomed baby Noah to their family in the Canberra Hospital after a postnatal diagnosis of Down Syndrome. After he was born, Noah spent 2 weeks in the neonatal Intensive Care Unit before heading home. At just 4 months old he returned to the hospital for bowel surgery and now at 1 years old he must undergo a second surgery.

When we asked the family about their experience at Ronald McDonald House mum Ali said, “it almost brought you to tears walking through the facility, seeing everything that was available to our family at such a vulnerable time in our life including being able to do simple tasks such as washing clothes, making a coffee, having a shower, or spending time with extended family. We will be forever grateful that we were able to come and go as we needed so we could still be by Noah’s side when he needed us most.”

Dad Adam shared, “in such a stressful time, having a place in Ronald McDonald House certainly took away the financial and emotional burden of having to worry about accommodation during Noah’s hospital visits, and instead this allowed us to focus our energy solely on supporting Noah. Having access to the kitchen also meant we weren’t spending time and money on takeaway or cafeteria meals.”

“We were so grateful we also had a place to take Harriet back to play during her visits so we could still spend some quality family time together. Until you are in a situation where you need this service, it is hard to know how it benefits people but seeing and experiencing Ronald McDonald House firsthand we will be forever grateful,” he said.

Ronald McDonald House Canberra welcomes anyone who is interested in fundraising, donating, or volunteering to get involved.

“We hope that this year’s event will be equally well supported, and we can come together to help families like the Stephenson’s and be there for them when they need it most,” said Ronald McDonald House Charities ACT & South East NSW Fundraising and Marketing Manager, Robyn Zwar.

 

To sign up or donate visit: https://actfundraising.rmhc.org.au/event/redwig2021/home