(Dec 2014 to June 2015)
The Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) was established in 1984 in memory of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, a strong advocate for children. He believed that every child deserves a strong mind and a strong body. RMHC has since put this into practice providing care and comfort to children and their families all around the world.
The organisation had its beginnings in Singapore in 1989 as the Ronald McDonald Children’s Charity. In 2011, it was renamed Ronald McDonald House Charities. From 1989 to 2012, the organisation raised S$6 million in support of the Ronald McDonald Family Room at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital as well as the Beneficiaries Programme, helping over 900 Singaporean children in medical, surgical and rehabilitative treatments.
The first Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in Singapore opened its doors in January 2013 at the National University Hospital (NUH). The RMH enables parents to stay close to their hospitalised child and helps the family stay together and support one another during the difficult times of a child’s illness. It is a place of respite for families, built on the belief that the love and support of family is as powerful as the strongest medicine available. With this, we joined the ever-growing worldwide network of over 347 Ronald McDonald Houses in 38 countries, along with 195 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in 23 countries and regions.
Since its opening, our Ronald McDonald House consistently operates at full capacity and there is always a waitlist of families waiting for a room at the RMH. In late 2015, the RMHC will open a Ronald McDonald Family Room (RMFR) at NUH to further reach out to the families of children in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), providing practical assistance and support.
Besides the RMHC core programmes of the RMH and RMFR, we also work with other not-for-profit organisations within Singapore through our Grant Making Programme. Our inaugural grant call in April 2014 awarded over S$379,000 to various organisations and hospitals to fund programmes and facilities which directly impact on the health and well-being of children and youths in Singapore. It enables us to develop strong relationships with other community partners in a simple shared mission and also extends the reach and impact of RMHC Singapore.
The RMHC Board, committees and staff are made up of very dedicated individuals who work tirelessly behind the scene to realise the vision of improving the lives of needy children and their families by providing programmes that help strengthen families during difficult times.
RMHC Singapore continually reviews its programmes and is actively seeking out strategic alliances with like-minded partners and opportunities to reach out to more beneficiaries in Singapore.
At the heart of all that we do are the friends, supporters, donors and volunteers, without whom the RMHC would not be where it is today. Thank you for your love and sacrifice and for walking alongside us in this wonderful and exciting journey.
Sincerely,
A/Prof Daniel Goh