Students and staff set up a wishing tree at school to collect presents for the preemie babies and teenagers who will spend Christmas in the Orange hospital’s accommodation facility.

School Administration Officer Gay Dillon said Ronald McDonald House was chosen as the school’s charity of choice a few years ago, but this is the first time they’d donated gifts for Christmas.

Mrs Dillon said as the students are from regional families they recognise how valuable the house is.

“The kids realise it gives country kids the opportunity to access facilities without going to Sydney,” she said.

Ronald McDonald House Executive Officer Rebecca Walsh said in addition to the donations from Canobolas High, the house has received a supermarket voucher from Inland Digital to help them to put on a meal for families on Christmas day, toys and gifts from Phocas, as well as toys and books from Yates Baker McLean - to name just a few.

“We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of individuals and businesses in their support of our families who will be with us through the Christmas and New Year period,” she said.  

“We cannot thank the community enough for their support in helping us to bring a smile to our families.”

Mrs Dillon said over the last week or so the staff and families had decorated the house to bring it a little festive cheer.

“We have Christmas gifts wrapped under the tree for families to select and Christmas gift hampers have been put together by our staff and volunteers to give out between now and Christmas Day,” she said.

“We gave our first hamper to a family that will be going home tomorrow and we have another four ready to go.”

There are currently two or three families who will spend Christmas in the house, although Mrs Dillon said this could change in a heartbeat.

“On Christmas Eve we will start the cooking for the Christmas Day meal, which will be available to all families in the house,” she said.

Since opening RMH Orange has accommodated 483 families since it opened in 2015.