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Macca's kicking charity goals with Wellington Phoenix
Passing it forward, and out wide, and back to the keeper: Macca’s Match For Good changing lives off the pitch
For families like the Harpers caring for a seriously ill child, Ronald McDonald House Charities® serves as a comforting home away from home, providing muchneeded relief and giving families what they need the most, each other.
Mark Harper and his son Oscar called the RMHC Auckland House home for 204 nights, while Oscar received medical treatment after being diagnosed with Biliary Atresia, a serious liver condition in infants.
“Ronald McDonald House was our home away from home when Oscar needed medical treatment, and the support we received was incredible – we will never forget it,” Mark says
As a huge football family, Oscar was thrilled to learn that his favourite A-League team, the Wellington Phoenix, were playing in this year’s Macca’s Match For Good at SKY Stadium, in Wellington, to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities New Zealand.
Adding to Oscar’s excitement was that he would feature in a photoshoot with Nix captain Alex Rufer, and get to walk onto the pitch with his heroes, to represent the thousands of children like him across Aotearoa.
Mark says taking part in the charity match meant the world to Oscar, and the whole whānau.
“This is more than a game; it’s a cause that helps families like ours every day.”
Another RHMC family who was a part of this amazing initiative, the Dunn family, says the charity supported them when they needed it the most.
“This Match for Good is incredibly close to our hearts. We’re so grateful for the support RMHC gave us when our twins were unwell. We’re truly honoured to support a cause that will make a di erence for more families like ours during such challenging times.” says Callie Dunn, mum of twins Zayden Azeil Hiwa Framhein and Layke Afah Tuariki Framhein.
The game supporting Kiwi families in need
Dedicated to RMHC New Zealand, the annual Wellington Phoenix A-League charity match on March 29 provided the opportunity for fans, players, and communities to unite and help families with a child in hospital, away from home.
In the week leading up to the match, McDonald’s restaurants across the country matched every customer donation made through in-store kiosks and Drive-Thru.
Customers contributed to the cause by either rounding up their order to the nearest dollar or adding a $1 donation at the checkout.
To mark game-day, the Phoenix wore a bespoke kit, with the RMHC logo front and centre.
Each player’s shirt featured the name of a child and the number of nights they stayed at a Ronald McDonald House. The match-worn kits were also auctioned o , with all proceeds donated directly to RMHC. The match helped raise vital funds to support RMHC’s mission to provide a safe, supportive place for families during their child’s medical journey.
The charity caring for kids
With McDonald’s as its founding mission partner, RMHC New Zealand is a for-purpose, not-for-profit organisation with the core mission to provide families with accommodation and support when their child is in a hospital away from home.
The Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald Family Room programmes take care of practical things, so families with a child undergoing medical treatment can focus on spending time together.
Each year, they over over 3,500 families across the motu accommodation and support free of charge, alleviating everyday stresses.
McDonald’s is one of the biggest supporters of football in Aotearoa so what better way to support RMHC than an A-League charity match?
Chief Executive Officer of RMHC New Zealand Wayne Howett says they were honoured to receive support from both McDonald’s and Wellington Phoenix for Macca’s Match For Good.
The money raised will help fund over 200 nights of accommodation for families, which will make a meaningful difference for whānau facing challenging times.
You can continue to show your support by donating at any McDonald’s restaurant, and find out more about the charity at rmhc.org.nz.