August 08, 2013
Mortgage Choice is delighted to announce it has raised since October 2011 over $270,000 in support of charity partner, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).
Most recently, the company's mortgage broking and financial planning franchise networks, staff and lender panel members amiably outbid each other in support of RMHC during an unforgettable charity auction at the recent Mortgage Choice 2013 National Conference held in Alice Springs.
This fundraising event alone resulted in the company raising close to $56,000 in addition to the $217,000 already raised through a series of fundraising initiatives including state based events, franchisee and staff initiated sponsorships activities, salary sacrificing and donations per loan settled.
Mortgage Choice CEO Michael Russell said, “I am constantly overwhelmed by the community spirit and generosity of our franchisees and their teams, company staff and our business partners.”
“The donation raised at this year's National Conference is staggering and wouldn't have been achieved if it weren't for the additional contribution of those within our network who have donated more than funds, by offering auction items as well as their time to the cause.
“Through Ronald McDonald House Charities, we are really fortunate to have a role in helping Australian families during their toughest times. I'm pleased to say our total donation to date of over $270,000 equates to nearly 2,045 nights of accommodation at a Ronald McDonald House for Australian families with a seriously ill child.”
Mortgage Choice continues to make regular contributions to RMHC by donating from commissions received for every home loan settled. Staff and franchisees also show their support by making voluntary contributions from each pay packet or loan settled and by volunteering time at RMHC events.
For information about Mortgage Choice call 13 MORTGAGE or visit Facebook.com/MortgageChoice or Twitter.com/MortgageChoice.
For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities call 1300 307 642 or visit www.rmhc.org.au or Facebook.com/RMHCAustralia.
For further information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Lauren Booke
Mortgage Choice Corporate Affairs
(02) 8907 0502 / 0448 240 047
Lauren.booke@mortgagechoice.com.au
Alicia Eu
BlueChip Communication
(02) 9018 8603 / 0412 550 004
Alicia@bluechipcommunication.com.au
About Ronald McDonald House Charities
Childhood illness can have a devastating effect on families. On top of the fear and uncertainty come the practicalities of managing the family when the child is away in hospital, often for extended periods of time. In a country as big as Australia, specialist care may be a long way from home and many families simply can't afford to stay in hotels while their children receive treatment. Even then, the child's illness often affects much more than their health – it can stop them going to school.
At RMHC, we provide help and support through a wide range of programs that stretch across the continuum of care – not only accommodation, but also in-hospital support, education programs, health initiatives and financial grants. We're committed to helping seriously ill children and their families across Australia.
It was 31 years ago that we opened our first House at Camperdown (this House has since moved with staff to Westmead) and began providing much needed accommodation for families whose child is receiving lifesaving medical treatment at nearby hospitals. We now have 14 Ronald McDonald Houses in Australia accommodating nearly 300 families every night.
Since opening our first House in 1981 we have helped over 100,000 families with a seriously ill child and have continued to find other ways to be there for sick children and their families when they need it most with; the Ronald McDonald Learning Program, Ronald McDonald Family Room program, Ronald McDonald Family Retreat program and the RMHC Charlie Bell Scholarship program. This year we will help more than 800 children around Australia catch up on their schooling after serious illness.
We have substantial future capital growth planned or under negotiation over the few years. With prudent financial planning and dedicated fundraising efforts we are targeting substantial future growth, including four new Ronald McDonald Houses, 17 new Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, a national expansion of the EDMed Program, the successful first year of the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile and an increase in the Ronald McDonald Learning Program capacity. We have set a significant fundraising target to help us achieve these goals so that we can help more seriously ill children and their families.
