—Michelle Peters—

Business leaders from Orange and the central west left Orange’s Ronald McDonald house on Friday, March 24 with fresh perspectives on the work done to keep families together during difficult times.

Amy van de Ven, Katie Baddock, Simone Townsend, Jacob Cass and David Thompson spent 24 hours at Ronald McDonald House as part of an immersive experience called CEO Walk in My Shoes, which involved connecting with families and preparing meals for them after a long day at the hospital visiting their child.

For Jacob Cass, Parkes local and Centre Manager at Country Universities Centres, the experience brought back emotional memories of three previous stays, during a high-risk pregnancy, then the emergency birth of the couple’s second child, and later for a paediatric visit with his son.

“It was absolutely a life-saving experience to know that when you came across you had somewhere to stay, you had volunteers to talk to, people understood and you’re so close to the hospital,” Jacob said.

“It was really a shining light, in an otherwise bleak situation for us – that’s why I’m here really.”

Simone Townsend, CEO of Kenny Spring Solicitors, actively fundraises for Ronald McDonald House through her business and when she heard about this fundraiser she knew she had to get involved.

Simone too feels a personal connection to the charity after her friends spent 222 days at Ronald McDonald House in Sydney, with their daughter suffering from leukaemia.

“Ronald McDonald House, for them, has been a home. Having meals cooked, and a safe place to stay – they couldn’t have managed as well as she has if they didn’t have that kind of support,” Simone said.

Katie Baddock, owner of local Groundstone Cafe, got involved after an emotional conversation with a family dining in her cafe. They opened up about their child’s health issues and the separation the family was experiencing.

“That’s what made me look up Ronald McDonald House initially, and then I saw this experience,” Katie said, surprised at the comfort and homey vibe of the charity house. 

“I didn't have any certain expectations, but it was so nice to see how much of a home it is. It doesn't really feel like a service – it doesn't feel like you’re walking in a hospital, or a medical centre – it feels like you could be in someone's lounge room or someone's toy room. It really feels like a home away from home.”

Amy Van de Ven, owner of Quest Orange had her own experience at Ronald McDonald House as a child when her sister was unwell. Later, she helped families in need through the Quest apartments when the coronavirus pandemic affected the charity. 

“From that moment, I really realised the impact of what families have to go through,” Amy said.

“It’s important to know just how much work they do here and it’s amazing the work they do, and the way they make families feel.”

If you would like to support the work of Ronald McDonald House Central West just search online for “CEO Walk in My Shoes” and follow the links to donate.

All funds stay in Orange to provide free accommodation, meals and services for families at a time when they are struggling to deal with the reality of having a seriously ill child.