For any organisation looking back on 2020, one topic dominates all – the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the immense challenges of the pandemic, we still achieved many outstanding accomplishments across our Charity. In a time where phrases like social distance and lockdown have become a new-norm, at Ronald McDonald House Charities we have come together and connected like never before.
We started the year looking forward to meeting the objectives of our 2020 Strategic Plan: we finished with a newfound sense of innovation and resilience, a stronger than ever before commitment to our Mission, and, more importantly, all our families safe and secure, supported by our tremendously dedicated staff, volunteers, loyal supporters and corporate partners.
A key highlight for the year has been our ability to rapidly adapt and respond to the ever-changing environment around us: whether through lockdowns or closed borders our RMHC Chapters have remained steadfast in their dedication and commitment to delivering on our Mission. They have thought on their feet to ensure fundraising activities remain viable and active — often showing initiative and commitment at a local level that will now be evolved to a national level. For example, our virtual Dance for Sick Kids developed by RMHC Greater Western Sydney was so successful, raising over $350,000, that this will now be rolled-out nationally and become one more foundation in how we support our families.