ORFU getting behind Ronald McDonald House

Otago rugby has thrown its support behind Ronald McDonald House Charities. 

The announcement was made at Peter Johnstone Park on Thursday afternoon. 

The charity’s logo will appear on the jerseys of various Otago teams this season.

It was an obvious venture for the ORFU, which  looks to partner like-minded organisations that support the Otago community.

Members of the Taieri Junior Rugby Club celebrated the announcement, alongside the Jones family who have had first-hand experience of  the work Ronald McDonald House does.

Their daughter, Hannah,  spent time in its Christchurch house while undergoing treatment for mediastinal B cell lymphoma cancer.

"So many families benefit from Ronald McDonald House and to have Otago Rugby behind that is really great," Hannah’s mother, Lea, said.

"It’s always a full lounge at Ronald McDonald House when the rugby is on, so this seems very fitting."

McDonalds Dunedin owner Justin Stonelake said it would help promote awareness of the charity and the work it did.

"This partnership will create more awareness and understanding of the great service RMHC provides for families from the Otago region.

"Nothing is more important than keeping families close when their child is in a hospital away from home."

Ronald McDonald House gives families with sick children  going through their medical journey what they need most —  a home away from home. 

The Otago-Southland region accounts for 11% of  nights  families  stayed in the various Ronald McDonald Houses around  New Zealand last year.

There is no Ronald McDonald House in Dunedin  and there has been some controversy about having one, with some health authorities  against the idea. The ORFU did not wish to comment or enter the debate on that issue

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