News
Growing demand for the accommodation and support provided by Ronald McDonald House South Island (RMHSI) in Invercargill and Christchurch has seen SBS Bank today announce an increase to its sponsorship at both facilities.
In 2015 RMHSI provided support for more than 1,000 families of sick children across its Invercargill and Christchurch locations. It is well on track to exceed that in 2016 with over 90 percent occupancy of rooms by families almost every night.
SBS Bank is a significant supporter of RMHSI and has sponsored a guest room in the Christchurch House since 2012. The 26-Room House provides free accommodation and support to families of children who have to travel to Christchurch to receive medical treatment.
Shaun Drylie, SBS Group CEO with Helen Walker, Ronald McDonald Family Room Supervisor.
In May this year, SBS Bank increased its support through sponsoring one of the four overnight bedrooms in the Ronald McDonald Family Room attached to Southland Hospital’s neonatal unit and children’s ward.
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And as of this week, the sponsorship has been extended again with SBS Bank providing a car for the Southland team. RMHSI CEO Matthew Mark said, “This is the first vehicle the Family Room has had since opening in 2013 and our team is delighted with being able to now take families to and from the airport and hospital, pick up evening meals for families staying, and run other errands to help our families out.”
SBS Bank also this week became the first ever sponsor of the Christchurch House kitchen facilities, newly-named the ‘SBS Bank Family Kitchen’.
In meeting with the RHMSI team, SBS Bank’s recently appointed CEO, Shaun Drylie, said he could see a real opportunity to step up to help Ronald McDonald House South Island respond to the increasing demand on their resources.
Mr Drylie added, “During my first four weeks at SBS I’ve met many staff and customers across the country who have reinforced to me how much they value the connection SBS has in their local community. This increased sponsorship is one way we can help remove the worry from both of these hard working Ronald McDonald House teams so they can focus on supporting the families of very sick children who need to travel from around the South Island to Christchurch and Invercargill for medical care.”
Mr Mark said, “We’re delighted to strengthen our partnership with SBS Bank. Supporting Kiwi families is at the heart of what we do, which is why it’s fantastic to partner with an organisation whose members share our vision and focus on supporting the communities they serve.”
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