Supporting Ronald McDonald House globally and cooking dinners

 

Royal Bank of Canada supports Ronald McDonald House in the UK, the US, Canada, Malaysia and Australia.  As the scale of our corporate partnership grows, so have the ways in which RBC employees engage in volunteer activities to support families in need.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Sydney (RMHCS) is a place to call home for families with children undergoing care at Sydney Children’s Hospital.  RMHCS has been RBC’s charity partner in Australia for more than two years.  Over that period, RBC has raised more than AUD260,000 to support programs and activities provided by the charity.

Blair Wark, Chief Country Officer Australia, said employees have embraced the partnership through their support of RBC’s flagship events and volunteering. “We’re proud to support an organisation that makes such a difference in lives of sick children and their families,” Blair said. “As we’ve got to know the team behind RMHCS, we can’t help but be impressed by their commitment and compassion towards families going through a very difficult period.”  

Funds raised from RBC Race for the Kids and RBC Trade for the Kids enabled the building of a sanctuary space and supported education programs for children and siblings staying at the House.  Employees also volunteer their time and regularly cook for the families as part of the ‘Home for Dinner’ program.   

Cooking at a recent event, Andy Allen, Managing Director, RBC Investor & Treasury Services Australia added: “It’s important for us to be able to give something back to our communities. Talking to the family over dinner, I found out that their young child has leukemia and they’ve travelled over 450 kilometres (280 miles) to be here today.  For us to be able to help them tonight, while their little child has been in hospital, makes life a little bit easier for them.  During difficult and sometimes traumatic situations for families, RBC will do what we can to help.”

Desiree Clarke-Noble, Managing Director, RBC Marketing Europe and APAC, said that RBC’s partnerships with charities like RMHCS were “incredibly heartening”. “It is part of our collective ambition to help clients thrive and communities prosper.  To be able to support our communities when they need it the most, is part of who we are.”

Learn more about RBC’s global partnership with Ronald McDonald House.