NEWSLETTER #54 IN THIS ISSUE

Silver Linings #54 | PAGE 1
Autumn 2016
Keeping families close
The Hooke family from Timaru, Tracy,
Roger, and their daughter Grace have
stayed with us since September last
year while Grace has been battling
neurofibromatosis type one, a genetic
disorder which has caused two
tumours to grow in her brain.
Amazing Grace touches many hearts
“She’s a ballbuster, she’s amazing,” says
Tracy Hooke of her fearless daughter Grace.
With her freckled face, fiery personality, and
love of the Disney film Frozen, Grace Hooke
is like most 8-year-old girls.
But this Timaru beauty has had to be braver
than most, battling neurofibromatosis type
one, a genetic disorder causing two tumours
to grow on her brain.
To the devastation of her parents Roger and
Tracy, chemotherapy has not stopped the
tumours from growing, and doctors have
only given Grace a few short months to live.
But this redheaded princess is not going
down without a fight, naming her tumours
‘stinky’ and ‘slimy’ and not letting them get in
the way of her important little life.
“She will not give in, she is stubborn and
she’s touched a lot of people’s hearts,” says
Tracy. “She’s got a wicked sense of humour,
always giggling and laughing, and gives
kisses to everyone.”
Continued on page 2...
NEWSLETTER #54 IN THIS ISSUE:
HOUSE
HAPPENINGS
PAGE 3
TRIPLETS IN
SOUTHLAND
PAGE 4
COMMUNITY
AROHA
PAGE 6
NATIONAL
STREET APPEAL
FRIDAY 10 JUNE
VOLUNTEER /
DONATE NOW
RMHSI.ORG.NZ
connect with us www.rmhsi.org.nz | RonaldMcDonaldHouseSouthIsland | RMHSI

Silver Linings #54 | PAGE 2
From the Chairman,
Paul Deavoll
After serving more
than 800 families in
2015, we welcomed
in the New Year with
the knowledge that the
need for our services is
constant and growing.
When a child is ill it impacts
the entire family. Each day is
often filled with stress, hospital
appointments and worry.
Thank you to the supporters who have chosen to keep
walking alongside our organisation in 2016, helping us to
keep families close so they can focus on what matters most
– the health of their children.
On behalf of the Ronald McDonald House South Island
Board of Trustees, I am humbled by the support we get
from you – our individual, corporate and community
donor support is incredible, whether it be monetary,
in-kind or lending a helping hand around the House and
Family Room.
You are noticed, you are valued and you are making a true
difference to the lives of hundreds of families. With your
help our doors are always open to families in need.
We have an exciting year ahead with Christchurch and
Queenstown Supper Clubs, the Annual Appeal and of
course a full House of families who need our daily support.
We look forward to working with you throughout the
year, so that as a team we can provide comfort, care and
compassion to each and every family needing support
during their child’s road to recovery.
...cover story continued from page 1
Grace and her mum have spent over 120 nights in the House
since September last year, while dad Roger travels to Christchurch
whenever he can get time off work to be close to his girls.
But since getting Grace’s latest prognosis at Christmas time, Tracy and
Roger have put their lives on hold to spend as much time as they can
with Grace.
“The most important thing for the next little while is her,” says Tracy.
The Hooke family have experienced the power of families staying
close during tough times and say they don’t know where they would
be without Ronald McDonald House South Island.
"It is truly a home away from home," says Roger, who can often be
found unstacking the dishwasher in the family kitchen.
“If it wasn’t for this place we don’t know how families would cope, when
you’re already not getting paid and you’ve still got mortgages and bills
to pay, it’s tough.
“But you can come back to the House and your meals are cooked for
you – it’s amazing and such a load off.”
The Hooke’s are certainly one-of-a-kind, promising to come back to
the House and give back to the over 860 families who call Ronald
McDonald House South Island home each year.
“When this is all over for us, and we’ve had some time to grieve, we will
definitely come back here,” says Tracy.
“It’s a place you hear about, it’s a place you hope you never have to
experience, but thank goodness it's here.”
And while the future for the Hooke family is unclear, they are doing
everything they can to make sure Grace’s last days are filled with light
and love.
Crown Limousine’s organised for Grace to be picked up from the
House in a bright pink limo last month, and she was taken on a guided
tour around Christchurch with none other than Frozen Princesses Elsa
and Anna.
And one of Grace’s dreams came true when she got to meet her hero
Kendall Schmidt, the star from the hit Nickelodeon show Big Time
Rush, who travelled all the way from the United States to see her.
But when it comes down to it, all it takes to make Grace smile is a
cuddle and a kiss from mum and dad.
1) This photo was taken when Grace was first diagnosed in September. 2) Eight-year-old Grace is a huge fan of Frozen’s Princess Elsa.
3) The future for the Hooke family is uncertain, but their positive energy has been an amazing presence in Ronald McDonald House South Island.
3

» House Happenings «
Silver Linings #54 | PAGE 3
1. Hellers’ Brent Ford and his family teamed
up with friends to cook a beautiful meal for
our House families. These budding chefs got
stuck into the kitchen to prepare a delicious
meal of ham on the bone, a huge range of
salads and beautiful rose shaped cakes. They
said it was a great way to get the kids in the
kitchen and spend some quality time together.
2. Our CEO Matt Mark and his family
dressed up in their Bright Sparks aprons
and created a fantastic festive feast for
our families who stayed in the House on
Christmas Day. The Mark family cooks took
over the kitchen to prepare a classic ham,
roast chicken, salad, vegetables and of
course, Christmas pudding! More than 70
guests celebrated Christmas in the House.
3. Our little Superman Logan used his
superpowers to lend a hand to Leith Skinner
who helped cook a delicious BBQ dinner for
our House families. Thanks guys!
4. In celebration of Siddhant’s 1st Birthday,
dad Asoka, mum Ranjeni, Nana Yakkara and
other friends and family decided to make the
families lunch at the House – what a spread
it was!
5. Yummy smoothies and sundaes have
been at the top of the House menu lately,
with Tip Top donating plenty of ice cream to
the House for our families to enjoy, one of
our regular volunteers Manu was especially
grateful for the sweet treat!

Silver Linings #54 | PAGE 4
» What's going on «
Down South
▲ Mum Sarah with sleeping triplets Zoe, Jake and Kayla. Sarah stayed
in the Ronald McDonald Family Room in Southland Hospital after her
babies were born.
▼ The Miller family just grew by three, Bevan and Sarah and two-yearold
Tessa welcomed triplets Zoe, Jake and Kayla into the world at the
end of January.
Good things come
in three for the
Miller family
They say good things come in three, and for the Miller family this
rang true when mum Sarah gave birth to triplets Zoe, Jake and
Kayla earlier this year.
The three little beauties were born at the end of January, at just over 34
weeks, in Southland Hospital and weighed in at over 4 pounds each.
Sarah found out she was expecting triplets at 8 weeks, and it’s fair to say
the news came as a bit of a surprise to the expectant mother and her
partner Bevan.
Sarah and Bevan were able to stay at the Ronald McDonald House
Family Room in Southland Hospital to be close to their precious trio in
the neonatal unit.
And big sister 2-year-old Tessa was even more thrilled with her baby
siblings, as they happened to arrive on her birthday – which should
make birthdays in the Miller household a busy affair.
The Family Room made up of four overnight bedrooms is directly
connected to the children’s and neonatal units in Southland
Hospital, so families like the Millers can stay just a moment away
from their children.

Teeing off for Tiny
Tim in Timaru
The Welsh family called our House in Christchurch home when their little
boy Tim decided to enter the world three months early.
But more than two years later Timaru parents Jim and Jodi Welsh are
delighted to be raising a fighting fit 2-year-old boy, and in December they
raised $7,800 to give back to the House through a golf tournament.
Silver Linings #54 | PAGE 5
The Welsh family from Timaru raised $7,800 for Ronald
McDonald House South Island through a special golf
tournament. Two years ago the Welsh’s stayed with us when
their son Tim was born three months early.
“We had many ups and downs with Tiny Tim from Timaru, but staying in
Ronald McDonald House in Christchurch helped our wellbeing by providing
not only meals and a place to sleep and be a family, but also meeting other
families that were facing similar and different challenges,” says Jim.
We are so grateful to the Welsh family and these funds will go an extremely
long way in supporting more families this year.
Special guest Te Radar and Family Room
volunteer Suzette
The gorgeous Rain family at our stall
Edendale show stall
Our supporters Faye and Gordy from
Arrowtown
The Southland community spirit was alive
and well at the Edendale Vintage Machinery
Club ‘Crank-Up Weekend’, with the event
raising the profile of the Ronald McDonald
Family Room, Southland Hospital.
Beautifully arranged and donated hampers
and a lucky dip draw raised more than $600
for the Family Room, and volunteers manned
our stall over the weekend to tell people a
little bit about what the facilities are all about.
Special guest and television personality
Te Radar even popped in to say hello to
the Ronald McDonald House team and
was interested to find out about the Family
Room, which provides families a place to rest
and regroup just moments away from the
neonatal and children’s units.
A big thank you to all our volunteers and
supporters at the ‘Crank-Up Weekend’!
Floral Touch to
Family Room
To keep the wheels turning at Ronald
McDonald House South Island, we rely on
the generosity of our special volunteers.
And Maree McKenzie is a one-of-a-kind
volunteer, who lends a hand in the Ronald
McDonald Family Room, Southland Hospital.
Maree helps out with housekeeping in the
Family Room each week, which is a busy
business with four rooms to keep spic and
span for families, many coming in with brand
new babies from the neonatal unit.
A talented florist, Maree also put together the
hampers for the lucky draws at the Edendale
Vintage Machinery Club Crank Up. The
hampers and lucky dips raised nearly $600
for the Family Room.
The team at Ronald McDonald House value
the support of our dedicated volunteers – we
simply can’t provide our services without
them. If you are interested in becoming a
volunteer and making a real impact, contact
us today!
> Maree McKenzie is a precious volunteer
for the Ronald McDonald Family Room,
Southland Hospital.

Silver Linings #54 | PAGE 6
» Community Aroha «
1. A big thank you to our friend Steve
Hutson at South City Shopping Mall for
finding two perfect and safe locations
two new ‘Wishing Wells’, Clive Jones
for putting them together and Kamen
Withington at Mainfreight for the free
delivery. Pictured here is Steve and
Anna from our team dropping the first
coin down the well.
2. Some generous Jetstar Airways flight
attendants donated $250 worth of travel
vouchers for our families to use, helping
keep families close!
3. Members of the Sefton Kowai Women’s
Institute created these gorgeous
welcome packs to give to our families
when they arrive at the House, and they
plan to make 60 this year!
4. Our friends at Wishbone have been
generously donating their leftover
products to the House. We are incredibly
grateful to Jamie-Lee (pictured) Carrie
and the team for the delicious daily
salads, sandwiches, wraps, smoothies
and readymade meals!
5. Faced with a Christmas overstock of
thousands of dollars’ worth of toys,
Arrowtown’s Four Square co-owner
Amanda Colmore-Williams generously
donated them to our Family Room,
Southland Hospital – her only rule was the
toys were given to the children to keep!
Whale Watch Kaikoura
serves local whanau
The fantastic team at Whale Watch Kaikoura have been making a difference to the lives of
families who stay with us by being Gold Business Club supporters. While their main focus is
letting people get up close with amazing mammals, Whale Watch Kaikoura general manager
Kauahi Ngapora said because of their community’s distance to Christchurch hospital,
supporting Ronald McDonald House South Island was their way to help local whanau.
“We understand how hard it must be for our families to be away from home while caring for a
seriously ill child, so our kaupapa has always been to lend a hand where we can.”
Day at the
Polo photo
gallery
A Day at The Polo in December 2015 was a
roaring success with more than 550 people
turning out to enjoy the day and raise just
over $100,000 for Ronald McDonald House
South Island.
The Port Hills Polo Club was taken over
by polo punters and ladies dressed to the
nines on December 12, with beautiful food
and drink available while watching the
teams play. A record 58 tables of guests
were filled on the day, the donation raffle
envelopes and live auction proved to be
very successful, as with the silent auction
prizes that were on display.
Our volunteers were a tremendous help on
the day, as were all our guests who all gave
so generously.
Photo Credit: Forever Young Photography Brent Cairns

2016 Events for
Ronald McDonald
House South Island
MAR
» Saturday 19
PlaceMakers Le Race
Take on the challenge of the hills in this epic Christchurch
to Akaroa cycle race! Raise funds for families who need
support at the same time! Go to Give a Little to kick start
your fundraising.
Silver Linings #54 | PAGE 7
Jo’s hikoi to help
our families
Late last year, Jo Cross was inspired by the families she
met while taking part in the Family Dinner Programme at
the House with the team from her community gym Focus.
“It was heart-breaking to meet some of the families, but I
was inspired by the amazing facilities and how friendly and
open the staff were.”
This sparked Jo to decide
to come up with a creative
fundraising idea – to walk the
length of New Zealand over
42 weeks.
“I wanted to do something
that would challenge me
physically and mentally, but
then I thought why not raise
money for a great cause at the
same time.”
It is a staggering 2081 kilometres from Cape Reinga to Bluff,
and Jo is walking this same distance around Christchurch
with her partner Michael, her family and friends whenever
she can find time in her busy schedule. “It’s been a great
way to get out and see more of Christchurch as well as
catch up with people I haven’t seen for a long time.”
Jo walks up to 5 kilometres every evening after work, and
goes for longer treks in the weekends – aiming to walk
a massive 50 kilometres a week. Although Jo is slightly
nervous about walking during the cold winter months, she
is determined to complete her challenge by 21 October.
“The challenge helped me to become more confident in
myself – my advice to anyone wanting to fundraise is to just
go for it and believe in yourself.”
To donate, visit Jo’s GiveaLittle page,
wwww.givealittle.co.nz/jowalksnz
The team at Ronald McDonald House value the generous
support of people like Jo – they play a huge role in the
difference we can make in the lives of families who stay
with us. If you have a creative fundraising ideas like Jo,
contact us today!
ww.rmhsi.org.nz
“I wanted to do
something that
would challenge
me physically
and mentally.”
APR
MAY
JUN
OCT
DEC
» Saturday 3 - Sunday 4
Wheat and Wheels, Ashburton
» Saturday 7
M Factor Fashion Show, Transitional Cathedral,
Christchurch 7pm
Tickets from ticketmaster.co.nz. Adults $50, Students $25,
Children $20.
» Sunday 5
Christchurch Marathon
Get your stride on for Ronald McDonald House! Join
RMHSI and become a fundraising hero.
» Friday 10
Ronald McDonald House National Annual Appeal
Keep your eyes out on streets all over the South Island
for our collectors. Even better, volunteer to be a street
collector on the day!
» Friday 24
Christchurch Supper Club
A must-do experience! Christchurch’s restaurants, unique
venues and chefs collaborate with us to create a mystery
dining experience. Book your table of 8 now to avoid
missing out!
Corporate - $1,500 + GST | Private - $1,300 + GST
» Saturday 8
Trucking Expo Wigram Airforce Museum
» Thursday 13
Queenstown Supper Club
A must-do experience! The Lake District’s restaurants,
unique venues and chefs collaborate with us to create a
mystery dining experience. Book your table of 8 now to
avoid missing out!
Corporate - $1,200 + GST | Private - $1,000 + GST
» Saturday 10
A Day at the Polo, Port Hills Polo Club, Tai Tapu
Watch heart-stopping polo matches while enjoying a twocourse
meal and a complimentary drink in the summer
setting of a garden marquee. This event sells out every year
– be in quick to secure your table of 10 guests, $800 + GST

Silver Linings #54 | PAGE 8
New and renewed
Room Sponsors
Trusts and Grants
» Our Families «
Families from all over New Zealand stay at our facilities while their children receive hospital care for many different reasons.
Sometimes they stay for just one or two nights, but some families can be with us for many months.
Here are our family statistics from 2015.
Our most common
diagnoses are
25 % Neonatal
14 % Surgical
Our families
come from
Canterbury 26 %
Southland 19 %
11 %
9 %
8 %
6 %
6 %
Medical
Oncology
Antenatal
Ear, Nose & Throat
Gastrointestinal
West Coast 19 %
Otago 11 %
Nelson 8 %
Marlborough 4 %
OUR PEOPLE:
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Paul Deavoll (Chairman)
Kipp Alexander (Treasurer)
Bruce Davis
Mark Abbot
Rob Aitken
Janetta Skiba
Stuart Leck
Susan Tansey
Dave Whalley
Jock Muir
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Julie Hands
Gareth Reed
CEO
Matthew Mark
HOUSE MANAGER
Zucchi Leonard
FRONT OF HOUSE /
ADMINISTRATION
Lynley Gibson
Debbie Rusbridge
Mary-Ann Roberts
FUNDRAISING AND
MARKETING MANAGER
Anna Galvan
PARTNERSHIP AND
EVENT MANAGER
Meri Wynen
MARKETING AND
COMMUNICATIONS
ADVISOR
Phillipa Webb
FUNDRAISING
COORDINATOR
Sue Thomas
ACCOUNTS
ADMINISTRATOR
Claire Ruru
HOUSEKEEPING
Kathy Oakes
Irene Ernst
AFTER HOURS
SUPERVISOR
Jan Nottingham
FAMILY ROOM
SUPERVISOR
Helen Walker
OUR
SUPPORTERS:
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Our sincere thanks to Pub Charity
for their generous grant which
funded the design and production
of this newsletter.
Ronald McDonald House South Island
33 Cashel Street (Cnr Cashel and Montreal Streets) | Christchurch 8140
03 377 3311 03 377 3414 admin@rmhsi.org.nz
Ronald McDonald Family Room, Southland Hospital
Kew Road | Invercargill 9840
03 214 8910 familyroom@rmhsi.org.nz