Wear Red Day 2021 for Ronald McDonald House Charities Orange

Principal and studio owner Leesa Chaseling said not only will students of the dance school be encouraged to take part on Wear Red Day later this month, but the event will be extended across a whole week to give all students an opportunity to wear an item of red to class and offer a gold coin donation.

All funds raised for Wear Red Day 2021 will remain in Orange to support families from the central and far west who have to travel to Orange seeking specialist and life saving care for their baby, child or adolescent.

Executive Officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities Orange, Rebecca Walsh said Wear Red Day, which was set up by Principal of Denison College in Bathurst, Ken Barwick has grown to be a major fundraiser for the house in Orange.

"Unfortunately due to Covid-19 we have reduced fund-raising opportunities which is why we are so thrilled so many schools, dance schools and businesses throughout the central and far west have come on board to support Wear Red Day 2021," Ms Walsh said.

Since the house opened in Orange, 829 families have stayed at the house free of charge for a total of 6,737 nights.

More than half of those accommodation nights have been for families who have come to Orange seeking urgent care in Orange Hospital for their child or adolescent who is experiencing a mental health crisis.

Not only are families provided with free accommodation but they are also supplied with complimentary breakfasts, grocery items for self catering, complimentary toiletries and gifts of new toys, books and activities for the sick baby, child or adolescent in hospital.

Some families may need to stay at RMHC Orange for weeks or even months at a time.

"Here are RMHC Orange we hope to provide a 'home away from home' for families and seek to ease the financial and emotional burden of having a child in Orange Hospital," said Ms Walsh.

Ms Walsh said on behalf of RMHC Orange she would like to extend a special thanks to all those schools and businesses who have so far registered to support Ronald McDonald House Orange on Wear Red Day.

"Your contribution is making a beautiful difference in the lives of families at a time when they need it most," she said.

Businesses, organisations and schools can take part in Wear Red Day 2021 by registering on: http://bit.ly/wearredday21

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