Having children can really shift your perspective on life, and Canberra Raiders halfback Jamal Fogarty is no different. His “little ones” were one of the reasons he was more than willing to become the official ambassador for the Ronald McDonald House in Canberra.

“Being able to come out here and see what the families actually go through puts things [into perspective] as a dad having little ones… you’ve got to be pretty grateful for having two healthy kids,” says Jamal.

As McHappy Day approaches on 19 November, Jamal is out and about raising awareness for the Foundation, and he’s even selling off his 2022 Raiders away kit.

He says although McDonalds is a big provider to the Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Canberra is not completely funded, and they still need to raise a large amount of money to keep supporting families and children in need.

This year, every $2 from a Big Mac purchase will be going towards all Ronald McDonald Houses across Australia. If you’re not a Big Mac fan, you can purchase some silly socks instead. Donations can also be made on the Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia website, and locals can volunteer your time to help cook dinner for the families of seriously ill children staying at the House.

Jamal popped into the Canberra House recently to say hello to some of the families as he was keen to help provide some relief from what they’re going through, even just for 10 minutes, and maybe spot a footy fan in the halls.

“Just to have a chat to someone that’s not about their baby and just to see how they’re going and all that kind of stuff. Try and not so much make them forget, because they’re not going to forget their situation, but just let them talk about something else outside of their situation,” he says.

Although none of Jamal’s immediate family have ever had to stay at a Ronald McDonald House, he was asked to be an ambassador by the COO of the Canberra Raiders, Jason Mathie, whose young child was there a couple of years ago.

He says he’s got a good understanding of what the House does for families from Jason, but his little nephew was born premature in Brisbane and also stayed at the Ronald McDonald House at Brisbane Hospital.

“So, it’s kind of a little bit of a purpose in behind it, but I love doing community work because it keeps me grounded,” Jamal says.

“You lose a game of football and we’re being sooky and saying how bad it is and it sucks and whatever else, but the sun comes up the next day and we get to go back to training, whereas these guys, they don’t get to go home, whether that might be for 10 days or… I just met a family in there before and they’ve been here for over 100 nights.

“So, you know that they’re in tough times and it just puts things into perspective.”

Ronald McDonald House has a real-life daily impact

Nicarla Waugh’s son was born at 28 weeks and six days, and she says once his lungs are a bit stronger, they’ll be good to head back home to Wagga Wagga.

But until then, Ronald McDonald House Canberra is her home away from home.

Before being transferred to the Canberra Hospital, Nicarla and her son were staying in Sydney, which was a costly venture for the single mother of two.

From living out of a hotel – paying for the expensive room and travel expenses to and from the hospital – to the supportive House at Canberra Hospital has been a “godsend” to her.

“It’s not just providing accommodation – a roof over our heads – it’s helping us create a bond with our babies as well, because for me, I’m a single mum, so, if it was left up to having to come from Wagga to here, I wouldn’t be able to see my baby as much. It would be once or twice a week instead of every day, so it’s not just accommodation and support,” explains Nicarla.

Being pulled in two different directions as her nine-year old son is back home in Wagga, thanks to the Ronald McDonald House, he’s able to come up on weekends and stay with her and his brother.

He was actually a patient at the Canberra Hospital when he was also born prematurely, and Nicarla stayed at the House soon after it first opened.

“I was here for six, nearly seven weeks over the Christmas-New Year period 10 years ago,” says Nicarla.

“I got to experience the amazing support that was the Ronald McDonald House then and it’s just only gotten better as time goes along and people are donating more, and people are more aware of what the Ronald McDonald House is about.

“I was very, very grateful to know about this place – it wasn’t such a shock as soon as I found out that the baby was coming early. The plan was to get back to at least Canberra as soon as possible, because I would have the support of the Ronald McDonald House.”

For another House resident Mu Dah, her story is double the hardship – her twin sons were born at 26 weeks.

She says she would be “devastated” without the Ronald McDonald House, describing the guilt and worry parents feel when their child is sick.

Mu and her partner have been so touched by the support provided by the House, they’ve decided to begin volunteering once their sons are well enough – they want to give back to the charity that gave them so much.

“Sometimes you just wake up in the middle of the night and you think about your kids, and you get all this worry. We’ve got ‘mums worry’,” laughs Mu.

“You know they will look after and take care of your baby, but you have that guilt that you’re not there, you’re not looking after them.

“But you just go one level up and then you get to see your baby and you come back and have a little peace of mind.”

Of course, the House is not just for mothers of premature babies – sick children and their families can spend many months behind the big red door which requires funding and donations to keep it open.

Nicarla emphasises the impact the Ronald McDonald House has on every family member who need their services and explains “it’s not just the accommodation”.

“It’s meals and there’s food in the pantry so that you don’t have to stress about coming back and trying to organise dinner or something,” she says.

“There’s so many ways that donating to the Ronald McDonald House Charity makes a massive impact on not just the mums and dads but the kids and the families surrounding the families that have to stay here. Please donate!”

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