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Annual Impact Report 2024

A message from our Chairperson

This year not only marked my first as Chairperson; an incredibly rewarding experience, it also saw RMHC WA make significant advances toward realising the goals of our 2020-2025 Growth Strategy.

2024 saw the official opening of RMH on Park, an important step towards our immediate and long term expansion growth strategy, to expand accommodation and service capacity that will enable more WA families with ill or injured children access to essential, cost-free services that positively impact their wellbeing.

With the growing demand on our essential services, the State Government made a $2.3 million investment that enabled RMHC WA to develop a comprehensive business case and development plan for the permanent expansion of RMH at the QEII. This important undertaking successfully led to a $50 million pre-election commitment from the Cook Labor Government, another significant milestone in our goal of long term expansion.

My heartfelt thanks to the executive management team, staff, and volunteers for your energy, dedication, extraordinary work ethic, and the breadth of talent you bring to RMHC WA. It is through your collective passion and professionalism that we can continue grow and be there for even more families at a time when they need it most.

Ante Golem

Chairperson

A message from our CEO

2024 year was a defining one for our essential service in Western Australia. It demanded significant effort, agility, and expertise from every function and individual in our organisation.

From expanding our accommodation and service capacity and advancing key strategic initiatives, our team rose to the challenge with energy and excellence. As a result, we achieved outstanding outcomes that strengthened our service and positioned us for long-term success.

We commenced the capital funding business case and development plan to permanently expand RMH at QEII, increasing current capacity by almost 160%.

With significant investment required for capital works at both RMH QEII and RMH on Park, prudent financial management and a brand-driven revenue strategy were key to maintaining operational sustainability and optimum family access to all our services.

Our 2024 Family Wellbeing Impact Evaluation, conducted by Social Ventures Australia, provided compelling evidence that our efforts to sustain, grow, and most importantly keep families together, supported, and safe were successfully maintained throughout the year.

It has been an incredible year of continued growth for RMHC WA and I would like to extend my deepest thanks to all members of the RMHC WA Board, staff and volunteers, for their dedication and support of WA families with ill or injured children.

Peter King ASM

Chief Executive Officer

A message from our Patron

2024 was a remarkable, historic year for Ronald McDonald House Charities celebrating 50 years of essential, family centred care around the globe and 34 years of RMHC WA support in Western Australia.

As proud Patron of RMHC WA for over 24 years, I have witnessed firsthand how its home away from home accommodation and services give regional and remote families what they need most during times far home and loved ones.

It is always my great privilege, on behalf of RMHC WA, to extend our deepest gratitude for the unwavering support and friendship of our Founding and Forever Partner, McDonald’s. Across the state in 2024, McDonald’s licensees in local communities once again went the extra mile, raising critical funds and volunteering their time for RMHC WA in support of local families.

My heartfelt congratulations and thanks go to the entire RMHC WA team and volunteers for another outstanding year in supporting WA families with ill or injured children when they need it most.

Adam Gilchrist AM

Patron

Our year in 2024

Families supported at Ronald McDonald Houses in WA
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Nights of supported accommodation provided to WA families
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Hours of volunteer service provided by the WA Community
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Hours of tutoring provided to young WA patients through the Ronald McDonald Learning Program
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Visits to our Ronald McDonald Family Rooms
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Nights of respite provided at Family Retreats in Busselton, Bunbury and Mandurah
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Our families

Western Australia is one of the most isolated health jurisdictions in the world. It can create mental health and well-being challenges for young WA patients and their families who need to access complex or critical healthcare in Perth for weeks, months and sometimes over years.

Read more family stories

Our programs and services

Ronald McDonald Houses

With more families from across WA needing the support of RMHC WA’s essential services the opening of RMH on Park in August 2024, enabled us to support up to 50 additional families with ill or injured children each night and was a critical milestone in our strategic growth plans. Learn more about the official opening of RMH on Park.

Ronald McDonald Family Rooms

Our play and learning programs are a highlight for both families staying in one of our three Houses and for families of in and outpatients across Perth Children’s Hospital and Peel Health Campus. In 2024, our Family Rooms supported over 116,000 visitors, including an increase in incursions helping to make hospital visits that little bit easier for the entire family. Learn more about how we are bringing learning and fun to hospital spaces.

Ronald McDonald Learning Program

2024 was an incredible year for the RMLP, with the number of school aged children supported by the program increasing to over 369 students. The advancement in efficiencies and program capacity saw waitlists eliminated, and the number of students accessing funding for allied health service rose by 50%. Learn more about the impact RMLP has on bridging the educational gap.

Ronald McDonald Family Retreats

Our Ronald McDonald Family Retreats offer a welcomed sanctuary for families with ill or injured children to reconnect, relax and enjoy time together; an experience most of us often take for granted. One year on since the opening of our 3rd retreat, we have seen almost 750 families enjoy the Family Retreats, an increase of almost 200 from 2023. Learn the impact this program made on one family in particular.

As seen in Business News

Education programs support children in need

The Ronald McDonald Learning Program is a tailored, fee-free, one-on-one tutoring program to help ill children catch up on missed education. Read more on Business News.

RMHC WA and The Magic Coat give WA children a wellbeing voice

Ronald McDonald House Charities WA works with The Magic Coat Foundation to help young children and their families better cope with the emotional toil of being sick in hospital. Read more on Business News.

Philanthropic support bolsters WA growth

Western Australia’s charity sector strongly relies on support from philanthropic donations to buoy significant projects that help make lives better for people in the state. Read more on Business News.

Our Blue Army

2024 was a year full of growth and excitement for our Volunteer Program. With the official opening of Ronald McDonald House on Park, we saw our Blue Army grow to over 400 strong across 15 roles. Together they provided over 29,000 hours of service, supporting families staying with RMHC WA as well as those visiting Perth Children’s Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital and across key events in our annual fundraising calendar. We couldn’t do what we do without their shared passion and dedication to helping families with ill or injured children.

As seen in Business News

Youth sparks social change through volunteering

Volunteering makes a meaningful impact and positively impacts the lives of others facing significant challenges in Western Australia. Read more on Business News.

Corporates contribute to NFPs through volunteering

This week, the charity sector celebrates National Volunteer Week, from 20–26 May 2024, an annual celebration of volunteering. Read more on Business News.

How we are making a positive impact in WA families’ lives

We are here for families when they need us most. Some stay a few days, some for months and others regularly over years. At Ronald McDonald House Charities WA we provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families and promote healing when children need healthcare.

Our RMHC WA Impact Framework provides crucial data and insights to improve, create and collaborate for positive change in the lives of the families we support. In 2024, our positive impact on overall family wellbeing increased a further 1%, with a total increase of 5% since 2022.

By playing a unique role in facilitating and supporting family centred care within the Western Australian maternity, child and adolescent health systems, RMHC WA works together with Perth Children’s Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital to best support family wellbeing.

Download Summary Report

Family wellbeing in 2024

positive change in emotional wellbeing

Had we not stayed at RMHC WA, our emotional wellbeing would have been poor.

positive change in financial wellbeing

Had we not stayed at RMHC WA, our financial wellbeing would have been difficult to manage.

minor change in physical environment wellbeing

If we had not been able to access RMHC WA’s support, our home environment wellbeing would have been stressful.

positive change in cultural wellbeing

Had we not stayed at RMHC WA, our cultural wellbeing would have been moderate.

Cost Benefit Analysis

RMHC WA provides essential services that not only remove barriers, strengthen families and promote healing when children need healthcare far from home but also benefits the wider WA community. By alleviating burdens like missed medical appointments and freeing up in patient occupancy, RMHC WA plays a valuable role in supporting the State’s maternity, child and adolescent health systems, by being there for families with ill or injured children during the toughest of times.

For every $1 invested in RMHC WA programs $4.02 is returned in socio-economic benefits, specifically for families and hospital partners

Our partners

We can’t do what we do without the important contributions and support from our Partners.

In 2024, with the opening of RMH on Park and the growth in our programs and services, our generous Partners were vital in enabling RMHC WA to support even more families with ill or injured children during some of the most challenging of times.

Meet our 2024 Partners (PDF)
Our Founding and Forever Partner

As seen in Business News

Focus on ESG, sustainability at RMHC WA

Ronald McDonald House Charities Western Australia’s continued focus on ESG has been strengthened with the support of Emerge Associates. Read more on Business News.

RMHC WA and MinRes provide food for WA families

Over the past nine years, Mineral Resources has helped provide home-cooked meals for families staying with Ronald McDonald House Charities WA. Read more on Business News.

Ronald McDonald House Charities: 50 years of global essential service

Ronald McDonald House Charities WA has supported families in WA for almost 35 years, helping them when life gets turned upside down due to a child’s illness or injury. Read more on Business News.

Testimonials

The opportunity to give back in a tangible way is a reminder of the power of community. A huge thank you to Ronald McDonald House WA for the vital work they do and for allowing us to be part of their mission.
Quorum, Chair Person Jeff Robson
RMHC WA saved us as a family. Without it, we would have been homeless.
Alana, RMHC WA family
Without RMHC WA we would not have survived financially or as a family. The House allowed us to stay together and get the help my daughter needed.
Kirsty, RMHC WA family
I am most thankful that RMHC WA gave me the opportunity to spend every minute of every day with my son for 12 months. I can never put into words how grateful I am that I got to be with him in what was certainly a heartbreaking time, but so incredibly special.
Luke, RMHC WA family
We’d be lost without Ronald McDonald House WA.
Sarah, RMHC WA family
RMHC WA gave us so much more than four walls and a roof. They gave us an island of security when we were going through the most terrifying experience of our lives to date
Ayla, RMHC WA family
A big part of why I like volunteering with RMHC WA are the other volunteers. They're all amazing people with incredible stories and ideas.
Reuben, Activity Agent
I believe that small actions can make a big difference in people's lives. Volunteering with RMHC WA allows me to support families going through incredibly challenging times. It's very rewarding to contribute to an organisation that has such a positive impact on the WA community.
Blythe, Paw Pal
The smiles from the families keeps me coming back, knowing I could offer some help during a difficult time in their lives.
Banjan, All Stars on Park
Perth Airport has sponsored Room 404 through the Adopt a Room Program since 2016. Keeping families close during some of their most challenging times is so important and we are incredibly proud that our support is making a meaningful difference in the lives of WA families.
Perth Airport
INPEX has been a proud supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities WA Adopt a Room program since 2016. We believe this valuable program delivers very clear and meaningful community impact, supporting regional families seeking medical treatment in Perth.
INPEX
Ronald McDonald House Charities Western Australia (RMHC WA) provides a home away from home for families with sick kids from regional and remote communities across WA, offering care, comfort, and a sense of community when it’s needed most. We’re grateful to support a charity that does such important work, and to play a small part in making a difference.
foodfolk
At Baker Hughes, we are committed to sustainability and supporting communities where we operate, and our partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities of WA reflects this dedication. Our commitment extends to the communities we serve, and we are honored to contribute to the impactful work that Ronald McDonald House Charities continue to do for families in need.
Baker Hughes
Since 2022, St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls has proudly supported the Adopt a Room program at Perth Children’s Hospital. Through the compassionate efforts of our school community, we help to create a comforting and welcoming space for families with a child undergoing critical treatment.
St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls

A message from our Treasurer

Despite the significance of operational headwinds throughout the 2024 year, I am pleased to report that the Home Away From Home Inc. (trading as Ronald McDonald House Charities Western Australia) remains in a sound financial position.

The result for the 2024 year was an overall deficit (total comprehensive loss) of $116,974 (2023: $390,636). This outcome was significantly aided by the receipt of $3.8M from RMHC Australia, following the successful grant application for assistance with the significant remediation works at Ronald McDonald House at QEII.

A key operating milestone during the year was the opening of Ronald McDonald House on Park, providing an additional 50 rooms for up to 5 years and it is now fully operational. I would like to thank the WA Government, Stan Perron Charitable Foundation and Lotterywest for their financial support towards ongoing operations and capital expenditure, that was required to make the building suitable for families.

A highlight of our fundraising efforts each year is our RMHC WA Gala Ball. We celebrated our 30th Ball in style, raising a record breaking $2.035M. This success would not be possible without the generosity of sponsors and donors, our founding and forever partner McDonald’s, our Patron Adam Gilchrist AM, and the dedicated efforts of our staff and volunteers.

We have a stable Balance Sheet, with $29.2M of net assets at the end of 2024. Although the liability to remediate the existing RMH at QEII continues to draw on the organisation’s resources, the worst of the disruption to room availability is now behind us. With the costs of ongoing remediation and planning for the future expansion of the Ronald McDonald House at QEII, the Board made the decision to consolidate investments to cash during the year.

With the combination of the continued support from the WA Government, corporate partners, the local Western Australian community, and the generosity of our donors including key philanthropic families to fund our operations, we maintain our focus and the ability to serve more Western Australian families with sick children to the extent we do.

I would like to thank everyone at RMHC WA including the volunteers, staff, Executive Team, and the Board for all that they do in having a meaningful and positive impact in support of ill or injured children and their families, in Western Australia.

Sonny Rahim

Treasurer

2024 reports

To view or download our reports, please click the links below:

Download Financial Report
Download Impact Report

Past Annual Reports

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

See all past annual reports

Ronald McDonald House Western Australia