TOWNSVILLE

Army partnership wins national award

TESS IKONOMOU, Townsville Bulletin

June 25, 2018 

A FUNDRAISING partnership between the Australian Army and Ronald McDonald House Charities has won a national award.

In December last year more than 300 soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Royal ­Australian Regiment, doorknocked houses in Townsville, collecting donations for Ronald McDonald House North Australia, and won the national award for best fundraising ­initiative.

The Give Joy to Sick Kids Christmas appeal raised more than $20,000 for the charity, which supports families and their ill children during difficult times.

Katrina Harrison and her family spent 46 nights in Ronald McDonald House after her son was born 11 weeks premature.

“With the family being in Cairns … it was a bit hard,” she said. “To have them as a second family away from home was really good.”

Commanding Officer of 1RAR Lieutenant Colonel Ben McLennan said it was important for the army to serve the community.

“It reinforces what the army’s about which is not just deploying overseas or cleaning up after cyclones, it’s about giving back to the nation and the community,” he said. “It’s ­actually really good for all of us, officers and soldiers, because it allows us to get a perspective on life beyond what we normally do.

“We’re looking to increase our support to Ronald McDonald House, it’s such a ­wonderful charity.”

McDonald House North Australia chief executive Amy Cooper said they were thrilled the partnership with the army had been recognised.