ONE WEEK TO GO!

GET YOUR DANCING SHOES ON FOR SICK KIDS

Australia, Friday 7th May 2021: With seven days to go, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is calling on Aussies across the country to get involved in Dance For Sick Kids, a 7-day dance challenge taking place during National Families Week from Saturday 15th – Friday 21st May.

RMHC have seen an overwhelming level of support for the national fundraiser so far, with over 3,200 Aussies already registered and set to lace up their dancing shoes in preparation for the challenge. Funds raised through the initiative will help provide vital support for the families of seriously ill and injured children, allowing RMHC to continue its important work across the country.

Barbara Ryan, Chief Executive Officer, RMHC Australia, said, “Thank you to all those who have registered to dance with us this year – the support has been overwhelming and we are incredibly grateful.

“With just one week to go, there is still plenty of time to register and join us to dance to make a difference. We have some incredible local and international talent on board, offering exclusive online dance workshops for registered dancers – from our Ambassadors Marko Panzic and Jarryd Byrne, to the cast of Hamilton and The Ellen Show’s tWitch, so sign up today and get out your dancing shoes!”

Who: Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia

What: Urging communities across the country to get involved by registering and help raise funds for Dance For Sick Kids to support seriously ill and injured children and their families

When: One week to go - the dance challenge begins on Saturday 15th May

Spokesperson: Local spokepeople, family case studies and Dance For Sick Kids participants available for interview on request.

Australians can show their support by signing up to Dance For Sick Kids at www.danceforsickkids.com

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For further information please contact:

Shantelle O’Riordan // Shantelle.Oriordan@Thisismango.com.au // 0477 894 895

Samii Avdic // Samii.Avdic@Thisismango.com.au // 0402 609 749

Notes to editors:

About Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is an independent charity that helps 60,000 seriously ill children and their families each year.

The cornerstone program of RMHC, the Ronald McDonald House, provides a ‘home away from home’ for families of seriously ill and injured children being treated at nearby hospitals. The Houses keep families close by giving parents and siblings the opportunity to stay together to support their sick loved ones. RMHC currently has 18 Houses throughout Australia accommodating more than 10,000 families annually.

Other programs include the Ronald McDonald Family Room Program which provides a relaxing haven within hospitals giving families a break from the stress of many hours spent by their child’s bedside, and The Ronald McDonald Learning Program which currently helps over 1,100 children on any given week catch up on missed schooling following a serious illness.

Additionally, The Ronald McDonald Family Retreat Program provides families with seriously ill children a week’s free accommodation at one of five family retreats across Australia, enabling them to reconnect and enjoy a holiday when they most need it and can least afford it.